Objective: This study aimed to examine the mediation effects of parenting
style and daily activity on the relationships between cumulative parental
stress and cognitive and language development of children.
Methods: The participants of this study were 1,154 mothers, their five-yearold
children, and teachers enrolled in the population-based study of the Panel
Study of Korea Children (PSKC) conducted by the Korea Institute of
Childcare and Education from 2008 to 2013. In order to analyze the data,
descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and structural equation
modeling were used.
Results: The results revealed that warm parenting style as well as daily
activity had dual mediating effects between cumulative parental stress and
child development (cognitive and language development). However, warm
parenting style did not have any direct effects on child development in this
model.
Conclusion/Implications: Given that actual mother-child daily activity had an
important role in affecting child development, support programs for parenting
should include activities that include specific materials and activities which
parents can do with their children in everyday life.