Author(s)

YaYun Du¹, Yuzhao Wang², Hongbin Li¹, ShiHan Shi¹, YuTong Tian¹, YingLu Ma³, ShouYing Wang^1*

Affiliation(s)

¹Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China.

²Wentworth Graduate College, University of York, York, UK.

³School of Nursing, Zhengzhou Health Vocational College, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan, China. 

Corresponding Author

ShouYing Wang

ABSTRACT

Background: The importance of family education has risen, yet issues persist. China's "Law on Family Education" clarifies its responsibilities. Parents' parenting styles deeply influence children's social adaptability and growth. This study in Xinxiang explores the relationship between parenting styles and preschoolers' social adaptability, aiming to provide guidance for optimal parenting and children's healthy development. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2023 in Xinxiang City, China. Using multi-stage random sampling, a total of 1,058 parents and teachers of preschool children from eight kindergartens in Xinxiang were surveyed through questionnaires, with 995 valid responses collected. The research tools included a general demographic questionnaire, a social adaptability questionnaire, and a parenting style questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0, including independent sample t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression analysis. Results: The study found significant differences in social adaptability of preschool children based on gender, age, only child, household monthly income, and Paternaleducation level (t=-4.50, P=0.000; F=5.32, P=0.002; F=2.10, P=0.036; F=5.88, P=0.01; F=6.05, P=0.002). Among parenting styles, "rejection" and "preference" were negatively correlated with children's social adaptability (r = -0.098, P < 0.01；r =-0.065,P < 0.05), while "emotional warmth" and "overprotection" were positively correlated with children's social adaptability(r=0.108, P<0.01; r=0.126, P<0.01). Factors including gender, age, Paternaleducation level, household monthly income, only child, rejection, and overprotection had statistically significant effects on the social adaptability of preschool children(B=4.098, P=0.000; B=2.932, P=0.003; B=3.063, P=0.002; B=-2.522, P=0.012; B=-3.878, P=0.000; B=3.485, P=0.001). Conclusion: Parenting styles significantly affect preschool children's social adaptability. Parents should be mindful of gender differences, actively encouraging boys and fostering their social and self-management skills. Only-child families need to strengthen training in self-care and social interaction, providing more social opportunities. Rejection-style parenting should be avoided, while emotional support should be given more frequently. Low-income and low-education families should seek external resources to optimize the environment for children's growth.

KEYWORDS

Preschool children; Parenting styles; Social adaptability; Emotional warmth; Overprotection

CITE THIS PAPER

YaYun Du, Yuzhao Wang, Hongbin Li, ShiHan Shi, YuTong Tian, YingLu Ma, ShouYing Wang. The relationship between parenting styles and social adaptability of preschool children in China. World Journal of Educational Studies. 2025, 3(2): 1-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/wjes3038.

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