Exploring Mothers' Risk Tolerance In Children's Play: Investigating Parental Styles And Various Factors Predicting Children's Risk-Taking Behaviors

Abstract

This study investigated the factors related to mothers' tolerance of their children's involvement in risky play through a correlational research model. The participants in the research consisted of 324 mothers with preschool-aged children. The study employed the Risky Game Allowance Scale (Mothers’ Form), the Parental Attitude Scale, and the Demographic Information Form as data collection instruments. Correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were used in the research. Results indicated that mothers with university degrees and those who were employed were more permissive regarding risky play. Additionally, older mothers were more inclined to endorse risky play. Overprotective parenting was associated with less approval of risky play, while democratic and permissive parenting showed higher approval for risky play. The findings highlight that mothers' age, educational level, employment status and parenting attitudes are significant predictors of tolerance for children's risky play. These results underscore the importance of a balanced parenting approach that encourages children's exploration and risk-taking within defined boundaries.

Keywords

• Mothers’ risk tolerance
• parental attitudes
• risky play
• risk-taking
• preschool children

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