The Impact of Maternal Emotional Regulation on Children's Emotional and Health Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Family Emotional Expression and Maternal Age

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we explored the influence of maternal emotional regulation and familyemotional expression on the emotional regulation and health behaviors of preschool children in ruralareas. Methods: We collected data from 800 rural mothers and their preschool-aged children. SPSS 20.0software was used for analysis purpose. Results: We found that: (1) maternal emotional regulation isnegatively associated with positive emotional expressions within the family and positively associatedwith negative emotional expressions; positive emotional expressions within the family correlate withenhanced adaptability in children’s emotional regulation and health behaviors, whereas negativeemotional expressions relate to poorer adaptability; (2) positive family emotional expression acts as amediator between maternal emotional regulation and children’s adaptive emotional regulation (whichsignificantly impacts children’s health behaviors) (Model A), while negative family emotional expressionmediates the relationship between maternal emotional regulation and children’s maladaptive emotionalregulation (which negatively impacts children’s health behaviors) (Model B); and (3) maternal age playsa moderating role in the mediated relationship between maternal emotional regulation, maladaptiveemotional regulation and health behavior in children, and the negative emotional expressions observedwithin the family. Conclusions: These findings underscore the critical impact of family emotional dynamicson child development and highlight the importance of fostering positive emotional environments inrural settings to improve health behaviors among children. We suggest that an effective emotionalexpression can result in a supportive environment for children, encouraging them to participate indifferent physical activities and healthy food choices, leading to their improved health behaviors.