The Relationship Between Parenting Style and Self-Regulation in Early Childhood

Research demonstrates the significance of the quality and quantity of caregiver guidance in the rearing of children. Many empirical studies find a correlation between social and developmental psychology and child rearing (Karreman et al., 2006). An important component of social-emotional development is a child’s ability to self-regulate––controlling bodily impulses, managing strong emotions, and maintaining focus and attention (Eisenberg, 2005). Children of authoritative parents have well-regulated emotions, respond well to difficult tasks, and exhibit developed social skills and happy and spirited dispositions; whereas, children of authoritarian and permissive parents lack many of those skills (Baumrind, 1971). Studies also show that cultural background and preschool attendance may also influence the development of self-regulation (e.g., LeCuyer et al., 2011; Alejandro et al, 2016). Sixty-four parents completed the Parenting Style and Dimensions Questionnaire and the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire. Results indicated that authoritative parenting is positively correlated with enhanced self-regulation, and authoritarian and permissive parenting are associated with decreased self-regulation. Further results showed that ethnicity did not play any role in parenting style or child self-regulation, and neither did preschool attendance. With this research, it becomes crucial to emphasize quality care for children during early development. Keywords: early childhood, parenting styles, self-regulatio