An examination of the relationship between parents' personality traits and parenting styles, their attitudes toward seeking psychological help for their 4–6-year-old child, and the child's emotional and behavioral problems

This study examined the relationships between the personality traits and parenting styles of parents with children aged 4 to 6, their children's emotional-behavioral problems, and the parents' attitudes toward seeking psychological services for their children. Data were collected from 289 participants using the "Demographic Information Form," the "International Personality Item Pool-Short Form," the "Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale," the "Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire," and the "Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Services Inventory." Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 program. Statistical analysis of research questions was analyzed using independent sample t-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Multiple Regression analysis. Findings revealed that the personality traits of extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability, as well as levels of comprehensive negative parenting, had a significant predictive relationship with children's emotional-behavioral problems. In addition, personality traits of extraversion and comprehensive negative parenting was found to be a significant predictor of parents' attitudes toward psychological services. Demographic factors such as parental gender, previous experience with psychological help, and profession were also found to be significantly associated with both children's emotional-behavioral difficulties and parents' help-seeking attitudes. By addressing the predictors of emotional and behavioral problems in children and exploring factors that may influence parents' attitudes toward seeking support when needed, this study contributes to the literature and offers practical implications for psychological counseling practices.