The aim of this study was to validate the ‘Alpha Mom-Beta Mom’ scale and to investigate the mediating effects
of children’s self-esteem in the pathway between parenting styles and problem behaviors of children. Total 178
mothers of children who are elementary (fifth~sixth grade) or middle school students participated in the study.
According to the results, Alpha Mom-Beta Mom Scale presented two sub-factors as predicted, and a Chronbach’s
alpha of the Alpha Mom and Beta Mom factors were .878 and .831 respectively. Correlation coefficients of the
Alpha Mom and Beta Mom subscale and the corresponding VAS were .377 and .630 respectively. Alpha mom
parenting style predicted the level of problem behaviors positively. Also, a child’s self-esteem perceived by his/her
mother had a partial mediation effect whereas a child’s self-esteem had a complete mediation effect, reducing the
level of problem behaviors.