The Role of Child Emotion Regulation, Parent Emotion Regulation, and Co-Parenting in the Behavioral Problems of Preschool Children

Authors : Zehra Ertuğrul Yaşar, Neslihan Balcı

Pages : 169-176

Doi:10.35365/ctjpp.25.2.07

View : 53 | Download : 26

Publication Date : 2025-06-27

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Studies on behavioral problems in early childhood typically focus on the mother-child relationship, children with special needs, and emotion regulation skills. However, other factors within the family context have not been sufficiently addressed. This research aims to expand the scope of variables traditionally examined in the context of dyadic relationships, by investigating the role of children\\\'s and parents\\\' emotion regulation skills and co-parenting in predicting behavioral problems in Turkish preschoolers. The data for the study were collected from 502 parents of children aged three to six years old. To measure the parents\\\' emotion regulation skills, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form was used, while co-parenting was assessed using the Co-parenting Scale. The children’s emotion regulation skills were measured using the Emotion Regulation Checklist, and any behavioral problems in children were assessed using the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scale. The analyses reveals that a child\\\'s behavioral problems were significantly related to the child\\\'s emotion regulation skills, the parents’ emotion regulation skills, and co-parenting. It was found that 22% of preschool children\\\'s behavioral problems were explained by the child\\\'s emotion regulation skills, the emotion regulation difficulties experienced by the parents, and co-parenting. In families where the child\\\'s emotion regulation skills were high, parents’ had fewer emotion regulation difficulties, and where co-parenting existed, preschool children have fewer behavioral problems. These results highlight the role of the emotion regulation skills of children and parents, as well as the quality of co-parenting, in the behavioral problems of preschool children which suggests a family centered perspective on prevention and intervention for preschool children’s behavioral problems.
Keywords : Okul öncesi dönem, Duygu düzenleme, Birlikte ebeveynlik, Davranış problemleri

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