유아의 행동억제와 불안: 어머니의 과보호적 양육행동과 자율성 지지의 매개효과

Preschoolers’ Behavioral Inhibition and Anxiety: Mediating Effects of Maternal Overprotective Parenting and Autonomy Support

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the direct effect of preschoolers’ behavioral inhibition and indirect effects through maternal overprotective parenting and autonomy support on preschoolers’ anxiety. Methods: A total of 295 preschoolers and their mothers were the subjects of this study. Mothers completed a questionnaire that included measures of their parenting behavior, preschoolers’ behavioral inhibition and anxiety. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: First, preschoolers’ behavioral inhibition had a direct effect on their anxiety. Preschoolers with higher behavioral inhibition displayed higher levels of anxiety. Second, maternal overprotective parenting mediated the relationship between preschoolers’ behavioral inhibition and anxiety. Third, maternal autonomy support mediated the relationship between preschoolers’ behavioral inhibition and anxiety. Conclusion/Implications: The findings of this study emphasize the importance of reducing maternal overprotective parenting and promoting autonomy support to prevent preschoolers’ anxiety. These findings could be used as a foundation for developing parent education programs for mothers with behaviorally inhibited preschoolers.