The relation between Chinese parents’ child-based worth and young children’s behavioral problems: a serial multiple mediator model

The present study examined associations between parents' child-based worth, psychological control, parent–child relationship, and young children's behavioral problems in terms of internalizing and externalizing problems. A sample of Chinese parents (N = 285) of children aged 30–83 (M = 57.52, SD = 13.47) months completed questionnaires to report their own parenting and their children's behaviors. Parents' child-based worth was related to children's internalizing rather than externalizing problems. Parental psychological control and parent–child relationship mediated the association between parents' child-based worth and children's internalizing problems in a serial multiple mediator model. The study provided preliminary evidence showing the mechanism by which parents' child-based worth influence young children's behavioral outcomes. The results have practical implications for parenting in the Chinese context and beyond.