어머니의 양육효능감이 36개월 유아의 정서지능에 미치는 영향: 어머니의 정서표현과 유아의 언어발달 수준의 매개효과

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the pathways of the maternal parenting efficacy, maternal emotional expression, and children’s language development level to the emotional intelligence of 36-month-old children. This study set up the research model and competitive model to verify whether the language development level of 36-month-old children affects their emotional intelligence. Methods: Sixty-eight mothers and their 36-month-old children participated in the fourth longitudinal study conducted by Hansol education research center. Mothers were asked to report their parenting efficacy, emotional expression, and the language development, and emotional intelligence of their children using questionnaires. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to examine the pathways of variables. Results: Children’s emotional intelligence was significantly and positively associated with their language development level and their mothers’ parenting efficacy and emotional expression. This study also found the sequential mediating effects of maternal emotional expression and children’s language development on the relationship between maternal parenting efficacy and children's emotional intelligence. The research model indicated a path from children’s language development level to emotional intelligence, and was more suitable than the path indicated by the competitive model. Conclusion: Findings provide information and implications concerning the psychological and behavioral characteristics of mothers to enhance young children’s language and emotional development. KCI Citation Count: 5