Pathway from Maternal Parenting Efficacy, Inappropriate Motives for Allowing Smart Devices, and Smart Device Dependency to Preschoolers’ Ability to Understand Minds

Abstract

Objectives This study examined the pathways linking mothers’ parenting efficacy and preschoolers’ ability to understand minds, focusing on the sequential mediational role of mothers’ inappropriate allowance of smart devices (smartphones, tablet PCs) and preschoolers’ smart device dependency. Methods The subjects were 696 four and five year olds and their mothers. The descriptive statistics, independent-sample t-tests and correlation analysis results are presented as a preliminary analyses. A sequential mediation model was analyzed using the AMOS 25.0 program. Results First, mothers’ parenting efficacy had a significant direct effect on preschoolers’ ability to understand minds. Second, preschoolers’ smart device dependency partially mediated the effect of mothers’ parenting efficacy on ability to understand minds. Third, the indirect path linking mothers’ parenting efficacy and preschoolers’ ability to understand minds through inappropriate allowance of smart devices and smart device dependency was significant, supporting the sequential mediation model. Conclusion The findings highlight the importance of parenting efficacy on preventing preschoolers’ smart device dependency to promote their ability to understand minds. Keywords: ability to understand minds, parenting efficacy, inappropriate allowance of smart devices, smart device dependency