Effects of perinatal characteristics of preschool children on play behavior and social competence

This research was conducted with 36-71 month-old kindergarten/nursery-aged children and their mothers in 2024, and the effects of perinatal characteristics of preschool children on play behaviors and social competence were examined. The study is descriptive and analytical in type and was conducted with data obtained from 332 children and mothers attending day care centers and kindergartens in Kırıkkale city center. "Mother and Child Information Form", "Play Behavior Scale for Children Aged 36–71 Months," and "Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation-30 Scale" were used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0, employing independent sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis, with a significance level set at p<0.05. The mean age of participating children was 59.5±9.13 months, and the mean age of mothers was 33.38±4.99 years. Most children (57.2%) were over 61 months old, 52.4% were male, and 38.3% were born via planned cesarean section. Regarding mothers, 53% were aged 33 or younger, and 52.4% were not working. Results showed that children of mothers who experienced prenatal psychological distress demonstrated significantly higher active solitary and social play behaviors (p<0.05). Children born after induced labor showed higher rates of quiet behavior and passive solitary play (p<0.05). Furthermore, children whose mothers experienced complications during childbirth exhibited increased active solitary behaviors. Children whose mothers experienced postpartum blues showed higher active solitary behavior scores. Positive, weak correlations were found between social competence and quiet behavior (r=0.284, p<0.001) and rough-and-tumble play (r=0.299, p<0.001). As anger-aggression scores increased, social play also increased (r=0.252, p<0.001) while rough-and-tumble play decreased (r=-0.115, p=0.036). Anxiety-introversion was positively correlated with quiet, passive solitary, and rough-and-tumble behaviors (r=0,252, p<0,001). In conclusion, perinatal physiological and psychosocial factors significantly affect children's play behaviors and social development. The findings highlight the necessity of comprehensive support during the perinatal period, providing guidance for nursing practice, early intervention programs, and community health strategies.