Objective: This study examined the relationship between maternal beliefs on
social development, management strategies of peer relations, and their child’s
peer competence in order to understand how to promote children’s peer
competence.
Methods: Self-report questionnaires were used on 195 mothers with children
four to years old. Data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation Analysis and
Baron and Kenny’s three-step regression.
Results: First, there was a positive relationship between maternal beliefs on
social development and their child’s peer competence. Second, this study found
that there were partial mediating effects of advice·support and supervision on
the relationship between maternal beliefs on social development and children’s
social competence.
Conclusion/Implications: The findings confirm that mothers’ beliefs on social
development and management strategies of peer relationships are proceeding
factors for children’s peer competence. Significant attention should be paid to
mothers’ beliefs on social development and management strategies of peer
relationships for children’s positive social development.