차별적 민감성 모델에 기초한 어머니의 정서표현수용태도와 유아의 공감능력 간의 관계에서 부정적 정서성의 중재효과

Moderating Effects of Negative Emotionality on the Association Between Maternal Attitude Toward Children’s Emotional Expression and Empathy Based on the Differential Susceptibility Model

Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the moderating effect of children’s negative emotionality on the relationship between maternal attitude toward children’s emotional expression based on the differential susceptibility model. Methods: Participants were 216 preschool children including 116 boys and 100 girls from day care centers and preschools located in Chungchung province and Seoul. EAS was used to measure the children’s negative emotionality. The children’s empathy quotient was used to measure empathy. Mothers reported their attitude toward children’s emotional expression. Results: The results revealed that the association between empathy and maternal suppression of children’s emotional expression was significant only for the children with high levels of negative emotionality. Moreover, the magnitude of association between empathy and maternal acceptance of children’s emotional expression was greater for high levels of negative emotionality. Conclusion/Implications: It was concluded that these findings supported the differential susceptibility model.