Activation parenting strategies and relations with child self-regulation and engagement.

ABSTRACT: Activation parenting (AP) emphasizes encouraging children to face challenging and potentially novel situations in ways that may promote self-regulation (SR) and engagement (i.e., curiosity and persistence). Although AP was initially theorized to be unique to fathers, new research and updated conceptualizations include mothers. Conscious use of AP in response to child distress also remains untested. This study adapted the Coping with Children's Negative Emotions Scale to assess maternal and paternal AP and their concurrent relations with child SR and engagement. The sample included 678 caregivers of 2- to 5-year-old children (n = 66 fathers and n = 612 mothers). Four items from the Coping with Children's Negative Emotions Scale were selected a priori based on alignment with AP

SUBMITTER: Feldman JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12614632 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature