Parenting style and prosocial behaviour among Chinese Preschool children: A moderation model

The present research examines the relationship between parenting style and the development of prosocial behaviour of preschool children in China and how this relationship is moderated by family income, an everchanging factor caused by rapid economic development in modern China. A total of 188 parents of preschool children responded to the questionnaires covering both family parenting style and prosocial behaviour scales for preschool children. The results showed that democratic parenting style has a significantly positive prediction on the total score and all dimensions of prosocial behaviour whereas neglecting parenting style is significantly and negatively correlated with the total score and dimensions of sharing and comfort in the prosocial behaviour. Authoritarian parenting style negatively predicts the morality dimension of the prosocial behaviour. Moreover, family income significantly moderates the relationship between parenting style and prosocial behaviour. The results suggest the importance of adopting positive parenting style to cultivate preschool children's prosocial behaviour.