Maternal regulation of toddlers’ emotions in delay of gratification task

Abstract

The present study investigated the association between Turkish mothers’ regulation strategies and their toddlers’ desire-driven behaviors as well as affect during a delay task. Sixty-two mothers and their toddlers (31 boys, 31 girls; between 19- to 34-month old) participated in our laboratory observations. Children’s behaviors and affects and maternal regulatory strategies were independently coded in 5-sec intervals during the 4-minute-task. The relationships between maternal regulation strategies and toddler affect as well as behavior have been examined. Consistent with our hypotheses, Turkish mothers mostly preferred distractive strategies, which were correlated with child compliance during the task. Children’s tendency to non-compliant behaviors was associated with maternal verbal explanations (i.e. reasoning and bargaining), non-supportive strategies (i.e. statements that return child’s attention to delay object, physical refraining), and maternal permissive approach (i.e. giving in to hold and eat the delay object). Moreover, maternal verbal strategies, restriction and physical comfort were related to children’s negative emotionality (i.e. anger and sadness). Surprisingly, children whose mothers ignored them during the task, were less likely tend to reach for the delay object and express their negative emotions. In addition, the results of the study confirmed that emotional reactions of mothers and their children’s influence each other. Findings were discussed in the light of previous literature.