Parents, Parenting and the Development of Self-Regulation

The present study had two objectives. First, moderating effects of parenting style on associations between parenting practices and toddler self-regulation were examined. Second, parental self-efficacy and mindful parenting were explored as possible correlates of toddler self-regulation in the context of two intervening variables: parenting practices as a mediator on the relation of parental self-efficacy as well as mindful parenting with toddler selfregulation, and parenting style as a moderator on these indirect effects. It was distinguished between supportive and nonsupportive parenting practices as well as between an authoritative and an authoritarian parenting style. Parents of toddlers (2.5 – 4 years) completed a number of online questionnaires. There was only a significant effect of supportive parenting practices on toddler self-regulation within high levels of authoritative parenting. Parental self-efficacy significantly correlated with toddler self-regulation, with this effect being mediated by supportive parenting practices, but only within high levels of the authoritative parenting style.