Effects of parental beliefs on emotion socialization of Turkish parents: Moderating role of child characteristics

Current thesis investigated the predictive effect of parental beliefs on Turkish parents' emotion socialization (ES) responses and the moderating role of child characteristics in this relationship. Although previous studies revealed the role of parental beliefs about children's emotions in both supportive and non-supportive ES, the relationship between ES and parents' general beliefs about child nature, and childrearing, as well as potential moderating factors in this relationship have not been sufficiently explored. Within the scope of the TÜBİTAK (1003-118K050) project, data collected from 1399 parents of 4-17-year-old children representing the Turkish sample. The Parental Beliefs Scale, Expanded Version of The Responses to Children's Emotions Questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and EAS Temperament Survey for Children have been completed. The results of a series of regression analyses documented that parental beliefs significantly predicted ES responses. Moreover, significant interactions were found between child's age, adjustment, and temperament traits with parental beliefs in predicting supportive, and non-supportive ES. The positive relationship between restrictive parenting beliefs and non-supportive ES to anger strengthened with increasing child's age. Child's adjustment and temperament traits also showed significant interaction effects on the predictive power of parental beliefs on ES responses. The findings were discussed in terms of their implications for the parental beliefs and behavior link through the lens of cultural values, goals, and child characteristics.