TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents' Psychological Vulnerability on Children's Emotional-Behavioral Problems
AU  - Baltacı, Önder
AU  - Köksal, Dilek
AU  - Talu, Ertuğrul
PY  - 2025
DA  - November
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.17275/per.25.86.12.6
JF  - Participatory Educational Research
JO  - PER
PB  - Özgen KORKMAZ
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2148-6123
SP  - 210
EP  - 224
VL  - 12
IS  - 6
LA  - en
AB  - In early childhood, emotional and behavioral problems may arise due to various factors. While some are typical of developmental stages, others may persist and intensify over time. Parents’ psychological resilience or vulnerability plays a critical role in how they manage these issues. Specifically, emotionally reactive parental behaviors may contribute to the development of such problems in children. This study explores the mediating role of emotional reactivity in the relationship between parental psychological vulnerability and children’s emotional and behavioral problems. The research included 274 parents (231 mothers, 43 fathers) of children aged 0–8 from various provinces in Türkiye. A descriptive model was used. The Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation Scale measured children's emotional and behavioral difficulties. Parents’ emotional reactivity and psychological vulnerability were assessed with validated self-report scales. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and mediation analysis. Results showed significant positive associations among parents’ psychological vulnerability, emotional reactivity, and children’s emotional and behavioral problems. Mediation analysis indicated that emotional reactivity significantly mediated the effect of psychological vulnerability on child outcomes. As psychological vulnerability increased, so did emotional reactivity, leading to greater emotional and behavioral challenges in children. These findings emphasize the key role of parental emotional health in child development. The study underscores the need for early intervention and psychoeducational support programs for parents to promote children's emotional well-being.
KW  - Early Childhood
KW  - Adjustment and Behavioral Problems
KW  - Emotional Reactivity
KW  - Psychological Vulnerability
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.17275/per.25.86.12.6
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4923001
ER  -