어머니의 공감과 유아의 친사회적 행동과의 관계 - 유아의 정서표현을 매개로 -

Abstract

This study identified the mediating effect of the child's emotional expression on the relationship between the mother's empathy and the child's prosocial behavior. The participants included 310 mothers of children between the ages of 2 and 5 from two kindergartens and four day care centers located in Gyeonggi-do. The mother's empathy was measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. The child's prosocial behavior was measured using the Preschoolers' Prosocial Behavior Index. The child's emotional expression was assessed using a questionnaire from previous research. First, older mothers and less educated mothers showed a higher level of empathy. Mothers over the age of 30 were more likely to have the ability to imagine other roles in movies or books, and to show empathic concern than those under 36. Mothers without a college degree showed a higher level of perspective-taking than those with a college degree. Second, girls were more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors and show emotional expressions than boys. Three-year-old children were more likely to share than two-year-old children, showed more initiative than two- and four-year-old children. Third, the mother's perspective-taking and empathic concern were significantly related to the child's prosocial behavior and emotional expression. The mother's personal distress was related to the child's control over emotions and awareness of other's emotion. Finally, the child's emotional expression had a mediating effect on the relationship between the mother's empathy and the child's prosocial behavior.