Title

Preschoolers' Mind-related Comments During Collaborative Problem-solving: Parental Contributions and Developmental Outcomes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 12-29-2015

Publication Source

Social Development

DOI

10.1111/sode.12176

Publisher

Wiley

Peer Reviewed

yes

Abstract

Preschool children's mind-related comments were analyzed during collaborative problem-solving interactions with mothers and fathers, and in relation to parental mind-mindedness (MM) and children's concurrent theory of mind (ToM). Seventy-two parents (36 fathers, 36 mothers) and their four-year-olds participated. Parents' comments to encourage independent thinking and children's own mind-related comments were expected to mediate, in serial, the relationship between parental MM and children's ToM. The proposed model of mediation received empirical confirmation. In addition, mothers and fathers were found to perform similarly on two measures of MM and in their usage of autonomy promoting and control comments. Finally, no differences were found in the frequency of children's mind-related comments during interactions with fathers and mothers.

Keywords

Preschoolers, Theory of Mind, Mind-mindedness, Mind-Related Comments, Paternal Mind-Mindedness, Maternal Mind-Mindedness, Parent-Child Interactions, Parent-Child Problem-Solving

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology | Psychology

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