The effect of co-parenting on preschool children's expressing their emotions and social behaviors

This study aims to examine the impact of co-parenting levels on preschool children's emotional expression and social behaviours. The primary problem of the study is to reveal how co-parenting processes affect children's positive (happiness) and negative (anger, fear, and sadness) emotional expression skills and social behaviour levels. The study employed a quantitative research method with a correlational survey design. The sample of the research consisted of 265 mothers with preschool children and their children's teachers living in Nilüfer and Osmangazi districts of Bursa. Data were collected using the "Co-parenting Scale," the "Emotional Expression Scale," and the "Social Behaviour Scale." The findings revealed that higher levels of co-parenting increased children's positive emotional expressions while reducing negative ones. Furthermore, co-parenting positively influenced children's social behaviours, such as cooperation and sharing. Significant relationships were also found between parents' co-parenting levels and their children's emotional expression and social behaviour levels. In conclusion, co-parenting plays a critical role in children's emotional and social development. This study emphasizes the necessity of enhancing parental collaboration in child development processes and provides guidance for educational and awareness-raising programs in this field. By addressing a significant gap in the literature, the research offers both theoretical and practical contributions. Keywords: Coparenting, Preschool Children, Emotional Expression, Social Behavior, Child Development, Parental Collaboration