Socioeconomic status and young children’s problem behaviours – mediating effects of parenting style and psychological suzhi

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined the mediation of parenting style and psychological suzhi on the relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and problem behaviours in a sample of 814 Chinese children (aged 3–6, mean age 4.725 ± 1.013). Parents reported on their SES and parenting styles as well as children’s psychological suzhi and problem behaviours. Structural equation modelling revealed that the association between SES and children’s problem behaviours was partially mediated by parenting styles and psychological suzhi. Moreover, the chain-mediated effect of authoritative parenting and suzhi was significant, while authoritarian parenting was not. Strategies that help parents provide authoritative parenting practice and those that help children develop psychological suzhi may help reduce children’s problem behaviours.