Child Shyness and Maternal Warmth Interact to Predict Chinese Immigrant Preschoolers’ Self-Regulation

• In Event: Poster Session 04
  In Poster Session: PS 04 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Children’s development of self-regulation, processes that modulate reactivity (Rothbart et al., 2011), reflect their temperamental characteristics (Olson et al., 1990) and parenting experiences (Calkins et al., 1998). Indeed, children’s temperament and parenting behaviors interact to affect the development of self-regulation (Cipriano et al., 2010). Specifically, temperamental shyness is proposed to reflect dysregulation (Eisenberg et al., 1998), but parenting can moderate the association between children’s shyness and self-regulation abilities. Parental warmth may provide shy children with support; however, oversolicitous parenting may undermine shy children’s regulatory abilities. Although shyness may be valued (Chen et al., 1992) and warmth observed less in Chinese than in Western cultures (Deater-Deckard et al., 2011), how these processes contribute to U.S. Chinese immigrant children’s self-regulation is unknown. Therefore, we examined whether maternal warmth moderates the effects of child shyness on child self-regulation in U.S. Chinese immigrant families.

Chinese immigrant mothers (N=58, Mage=37.33, SD=4.64) of preschoolers (Mage=4.51, SD=0.85, 35% boys) reported on their children’s shyness (Children’s Behavior Questionnaire; Rothbarth et al., 2001; α=.89), and warmth (Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire; Robinson et al., 2001; α=.76). Children’s self-regulation was measured using a drawing activity (Kochanska et al., 2000).

Results revealed that maternal warmth moderated the association between child shyness and self-regulation. Child shyness negatively predicted self-regulation skills at higher levels of maternal warmth (β=-3.78, p<.001). However, child shyness positively predicted self-regulation skills at lower levels of warmth (β=2.69, p<.05). This association was not significant at mean levels of warmth (β=-0.55, p>.05).

Parents may try to support their shy children by showing high warmth and displaying oversolicitous behaviors (Rubin et al., 2002). However, mothers who are highly affectionate with their shy children when it is unnecessary may limit children’s opportunities to explore the environment (Rubin et al., 2002) and autonomously develop self-regulation skills. Findings are discussed considering the Chinese immigrant context.

Authors

• Suqing Wang, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  Presenting Author

• Charissa S. L. Cheah, University of Maryland - Baltimore County
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kathy T. T. Vu, N/A
  Non-Presenting Author

• Craig H Hart, Brigham Young University
  Non-Presenting Author