Linking Maternal Warmth and Responsiveness to Children's Self-regulation

The present study demonstrated that a more differentiated view oJ positive parenting practices is necessary in the study oJ children's acquisition oJ self-regulation. Here, the unique contributions oJ maternal warmth and responsiveness to distress to children 's self-regulation were tested in a sampie oJ 1 02 German mothers and their kindergarten children (51 girls and 51 boys). Behavior regulation and internalization oJ rules oJ cOf/ducl were examined as specific components 01' children 's self:regulution. As expected, maternal warmth was positively related to the child's behavior regulation. Responsiveness to distress was positively linked to the child's internalization oJ rules oJ conduct. No sign~ficant interactions between maternal parenting and either the child's gender or effortful control were Jound. The results are discussed with regard to the unique jimctions that different parenting practices have Jor children's selfregulation.