The Mediating effects of Peer Play Behavior on the relationships between Father’s Parenting Behaviors and Children's Creative Personality

Abstract

This study aims to identify the mediating role of peer play behaviors (positive peer play, negative peer play) in the relationship between father's two different parenting behaviors (warm, controlled) and children’s creative personalities. The sixth (father's parenting behaviors of a four-year-old), seventh (interactive peer play of a five-year-old), and twelfth (creative personality of a ten-year-old) data from the Korean Children Panel were used. The structural equation model was used for the analysis. Results revealed that the father's parenting behaviors of a 4-year-old indirectly predicted the creative personality of a 10-year-old through interactive peer play of a 5-year-old. However, the direct effects of the father's parenting behaviors on creative personality were not statistically significant. Specifically, the father's compassionate parenting behaviors significantly predicted creative personality through positive interactive peer play, and the controlled parenting behaviors significantly predicted creative personality through negative interactive peer play. In addition, a multi-group analysis was performed to examine the gender differences in respect of the path differences, although no significant gender differences were found. Implications for practice and limitations are discussed.