Investigation of mothers' play beliefs in the relationship between mothers' life satisfaction and children's wellbeing

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between mothers' life satisfaction, mothers' play beliefs, and children's wellbeing. Also, it is aimed to examine the relations among demographic factors and mothers' life satisfaction, mothers' play beliefs, and child wellbeing. Three hundred and ninety-one mothers whose children are 4 to 6 years old participated in this study and filled out an online form. The form includes the demographic information form, Contentment with Life Assessment Scale (CLAS), the Parent Play Beliefs Scale (PPBS), and Social-Emotional Well-Being and Resilience Scale (PERIK). The data analysis was run with regard to mothers' life satisfaction by investigating its direct and indirect roles. This study indicated that children's wellbeing and mothers' play beliefs are predicted by mothers' life satisfaction. Also, children's wellbeing is predicted by mothers' play beliefs. Mediation analyses revealed that mothers' play beliefs partially mediated the relationship between mothers' life satisfaction and children's wellbeing. This study will provide information on the importance of mothers' life satisfaction and its connection with children's wellbeing and mothers' play beliefs which will inform the practice and policy in the field of early childhood studies.