engleski

Social development of preschool children: the relation of temperament dimensions and some parents' characteristics to child's behaviour

In line with the increasing demand for research that extends beyond the study of mainly difficulties in child development and family functioning, the aim of this research was to determine the predictors of both positive and negative social behaviour of preschoolers. Variables included were parents' characteristics (education, socioeconomic status, estimated happiness and life satisfaction, parental practices and behaviour towards child's negative emotions) and child temperament. Participants were mothers of 258 children from 5 kindergartens, and data was collected using Satisfaction with Life Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale, Parental Behaviour Questionnaire, and Questionnaire of parental behaviour towards child's emotions, EAS Temperament Survey and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. After analyzing correlations between all the variables included in research and performing several multiple regression analysis, the hierarchical regression analysis was conducted, with implementation of predictor variables in 3 stages (socio-demographic variables, parents’ estimated happiness and life satisfaction ; child’s temperament ; parenthood). In the final step of regression significant predictors of child’s conduct problems were temperamental emotionality and activity, and parents’ negative and positive discipline. When predicting child’s prosocial behaviour, significant predictors were parent’s positive discipline and acceptance, and child’s temperamental shyness.

social development; preschool children; temperament dimensions; parents' characteristics; child's behaviour

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