The Effects of Mothers’ Family-of-Origin Attachment on Self-Regulation of Young Boys and Girls: The Mediating Effect of Mothers’ Inner Strength

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the relationship among mothers’ family-of-origin attachment, inner strength, and young children’s self-regulation.Methods: A total of 329 participants, mothers of 3-year-old children responded to questionnaires, which included items related to mothers’ family-of-origin attachment, inner strength, and young children’s self-regulation. Data were statistically analyzed using basic descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Baron and Kenny’s method was examined. Subsequently, the Sobel test was performed to check the mediating model’s significance and was adapted to SPSS version 24.0 for Windows.Results: The major findings of the study are summarized as follows. First, as a result of examining the sex differences in mothers’ family-of-origin attachment, mothers’ inner strength, and young children’s self-regulation, we found significant differences in self-appraisal and behavior-inhibition. Second, mothers’ family-of-origin attachment was positively correlated with young children’s self-regulation. Also mothers’ family-of-origin attachment was positively correlated with their inner strength. Third, mothers’ inner strength played a perfectly mediating role between mothers’ family-of-origin attachment and young children’s self-regulation[behavior-inhibition(boys)/self-appraisal(girls)]. Moreover, mothers’ inner strength played a partially mediating role between mothers’ family-of-origin attachment and young children’s self-regulation[self-appraisal, self-determination(boys)/self-appraisal(girls)]; consequently, a mothers’ family-of-origin attachment had a direct/indirect effect on young children’s self-regulation.Conclusion: The results indicate that a mothers’ inner strength plays a crucial role in the relationship between mothers’ family-of-origin attachment and the young children’s self-regulation. Furthermore, the results offer a foundation in designing parent education/counseling programs for mothers with young children in order to enhance their family-of-origin attachment.