Ruiqian Li1,*, Peibing Zheng1, Mengxin Yan1, Xinyi Zhou2, Ziyu Wu1, Yiting Wang1
Journal of Psychology in Africa, Vol.35, No.5, pp. 681-688, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpa.2025.069421
- 24 October 2025
Abstract This study examined the relationship between paternal overprotective parenting and problem behaviors of preschool children, and maternal overprotective attitudes and parenting stress mediation of that relationship. Data were collected from 265 families, including parents and preschool children (ages 3–6). The results revealed that paternal overprotective attitudes significantly influenced maternal overprotective attitudes and maternal parenting stress. Maternal overprotective attitudes, in turn, increased maternal parenting stress, exacerbated children’s problem behaviors. Paternal overprotective attitudes indirectly contributed to these behaviors through both maternal overprotective attitudes and parenting stress. The effect was more pronounced on boy than girl younger than More >