Relationship between perceived parental acceptance-rejection/ control of mother, father and child with the emotion regulation ability of child

The purpose of this study is to research the relationship between child's emotion regulation ability and child's perceived acceptance-rejection/control from mother and father; and mother and father's acceptance-rejection/control of their children, according to Parental Acceptance-Rejection Theory. This research aims to reveal how children perceive the parental attitudes that mothers and fathers report. On the other hand, the relationship between demographic variables and child's emotion regulation ability and perceived parental acceptance-rejection/control points is examined; such as child's gender, the parents' education level and the family's income level. The study was carried out among ninety-three 4th and 5th grade students (41 female and 52 male) and their parents. Data was collected through Demographic Information Sheet, Parents' Parental Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire (PARQ/Control), Child PARQ/Control: Mother version, Child PARQ/Control: Father version and Emotion Regulation Checklist. The results of the study did not reveal a significant relationship between child's perceived acceptance-rejection/control from mother and father, and child's emotion regulation ability. A negative and weak correlation was found between mother's and father's acceptance-rejection/control and child's emotion regulation ability. The congruence between perceived parental acceptance-rejection/control points of mother, father and child was explored, and the results showed that there was a positive and moderate correlation between mother-child, father-child and mother-father points whereas there was a positive and strong correlation between child's perceived parental acceptance-rejection/control levels from mother and father. The results of the study were discussed in the light of the related literature; limitations of the study were stated and recommendations for future research were presented. Keywords: Perceived parental attitudes, parental acceptance-rejection, parental control, emotion regulation ability