The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents' Psychological Vulnerability on Children's Emotional-Behavioral Problems

Önder Baltacı; Dilek Köksal; Ertuğrul Talu

doi:10.17275/per.25.86.12.6

The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents' Psychological Vulnerability on Children's Emotional-Behavioral Problems

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Early Childhood, Adjustment and Behavioral Problems, Emotional Reactivity, Psychological Vulnerability

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Social and Human Sciences at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (Approval Number: [2024/04/06], Date: [25/04/2024]). The research was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined by the committee as well as the international standards for human research ethics (e.g., Declaration of Helsinki). Participation in the study was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest and that all ethical standards were rigorously observed.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Specialist Studies in Education (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Önder Baltacı ^*
0000-0002-9974-8507
Türkiye

Dilek Köksal
0009-0009-3179-1371
Türkiye

Ertuğrul Talu
0000-0002-3062-6130
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

November 4, 2025

Publication Date

November 1, 2025

Submission Date

June 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 6

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17275/per.25.86.12.6

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA77HZ48TS

APA

Baltacı, Ö., Köksal, D., & Talu, E. (2025). The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems. Participatory Educational Research, 12(6), 210-224. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.25.86.12.6

AMA

1.Baltacı Ö, Köksal D, Talu E. The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems. PER. 2025;12(6):210-224. doi:10.17275/per.25.86.12.6

Chicago

Baltacı, Önder, Dilek Köksal, and Ertuğrul Talu. 2025. “The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems”. Participatory Educational Research 12 (6): 210-24. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.25.86.12.6.

EndNote

Baltacı Ö, Köksal D, Talu E (November 1, 2025) The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems. Participatory Educational Research 12 6 210–224.

IEEE

[1]Ö. Baltacı, D. Köksal, and E. Talu, “The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems”, PER, vol. 12, no. 6, pp. 210–224, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.17275/per.25.86.12.6.

ISNAD

Baltacı, Önder - Köksal, Dilek - Talu, Ertuğrul. “The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems”. Participatory Educational Research 12/6 (November 1, 2025): 210-224. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.25.86.12.6.

JAMA

1.Baltacı Ö, Köksal D, Talu E. The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems. PER. 2025;12:210–224.

MLA

Baltacı, Önder, et al. “The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems”. Participatory Educational Research, vol. 12, no. 6, Nov. 2025, pp. 210-24, doi:10.17275/per.25.86.12.6.

Vancouver

1.Önder Baltacı, Dilek Köksal, Ertuğrul Talu. The Mediating Role of Emotional Reactivity in the Effect of Parents’ Psychological Vulnerability on Children’s Emotional-Behavioral Problems. PER. 2025 Nov. 1;12(6):210-24. doi:10.17275/per.25.86.12.6