Parental goals, parental warmth and toddler temperament in relation to toddler prosocial behavior

Abstract

Samenvatting: This research examined the influence of parental goals, parental warmth, and toddler temperament on toddler prosocial behavior. In addition, it examined whether parental warmth acts as a mediator between parental goals and prosocial behavior, and toddler temperament as a moderator between parental warmth and prosocial behavior. Prosocial observational tasks among 82 toddlers (mean age = 21.59 months) were conducted and surveys were completed by their parents and teachers. Regression analysis was used to analyze data. Parental goals and parental warmth were not significant predictors of toddler prosocial behavior. Also, there was no significant mediation effect of parental warmth. A significant relation between parental warmth and teacher reported toddler prosocial behavior was found. Additionally, there was a significant interaction effect between toddler temperament and parental warmth on observational toddler prosocial behavior. Future research should focus on additional parental behaviors that can influence the development of toddler prosocial behavior.