Examination of relationship among maternal attitudes, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence levels of primary school-aged children

This study aimed to examine the relationship among maternal attitudes, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence of primary school-aged children. Sample of this study consisted of 48 primary school-aged children and their mother (N=96). Informed consent was obtained from mothers for themselves and their children for survey completion. Sample was formed with systematic randomization. Measurement instruments for data collection included surveys for both mothers and students. "Demographic Information Form" and "Parental Attitude Questionnaire" were provided to mothers. "Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale" and "Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Scale-Children and Adolescent Short Form" were provided to children for measuring research variables. Based on the results of the study significant differences in students' self-esteem, emotional Findings related to the correlation among students' self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and maternal attitudes indicated that self-esteem and democratic attitude scores were found as having significant negative correlation. Because higher self-esteem scores indicated lower self-esteem, negative correlation was found. Besides, emotional intelligence and self-esteem were found as significantly and negatively correlated. That is, higher self-esteem scores indicated lower emotional intelligence scores of children. Protective and permissive attitudes were also found as significantly and negatively correlated in this study. The study is considered as important in terms of understanding certain factors related to children's emotional intelligence and self-esteem levels with their relationships with maternal attitudes. The findings are also viewed as contributive for further research and practices.