In the early years, deep contact with parents builds a solid attachment and serves as the foundation for the child's future social relationships. Several studies indicated that social support influences the child-parent relationship. However, there are no published studies that investigated the influence of social support on child-parent relationship among Chinese mothers with preschool children in Sabah. This study aims to examine the status of social support and child-parent relationship among Chinese mothers of preschoolers in Penampang, Sabah. As well, to examine the influence of social support on child-parent relationships. In this study, 165 Chinese mothers of preschool-aged children were involved. The result indicated that Chinese mothers perceived moderate social support and closeness child-parent relationship. Moreover, social support is weak positively correlated to closeness relationship, whereas not related to conflict relationship. There is no significant influence of social support on child-parent relationship. This study would like to provides parents, educators, and the government with a preliminary picture of social support and child-parent relationship to develop a strategy to improve or adjust early childhood education.

Several studies on child-parent relationships in Malaysia have been conducted before COVID-19. After the pandemic, most child-parent relationship studies were conducted abroad, such as Singapore, Greece, Belgium, and the United States. However, there are no published studies that investigated the child-parent relationship among Chinese and Bumiputera parents with preschool children in Sabah. This study aims to examine the difference in parenting styles between Chinese and Bumiputera parents with preschool children in Sabah. As well, to examine the influence of parenting styles on child-parent relationships. In the pilot study, 49 parents of preschool-aged children were surveyed. The reliability and validity are tested and convinced. This study would like to provides parents, educators, and the government with a preliminary picture of parenting styles and child-parent relationships to develop a strategy to improve or adjust early childhood education in the post-pandemic.