# The Mediating Role of Executive Function in the Association Between Warm Parenting and Children’s Problem Behaviors

## TL;DR

The study shows that warm parenting reduces children's problem behaviors, partly by improving their executive function skills.

## Contribution

This study identifies executive function as a key mediator linking warm parenting to fewer behavioral problems in children.

## Key findings

- Maternal warmth is directly linked to fewer problem behaviors in children.
- Executive function skills mediate the relationship between maternal warmth and children's behavior.
- Strengthening EF through warm parenting supports behavioral adjustment in early school years.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
Results reveal that maternal warm parenting is directly associated with fewer problem behaviors in children.Findings also reveal the mediating role of executive function (EF); maternal warmth was strongly associated with children’s EF skills, and EF, in turn, predicted children’s behavioral outcomes.

Results reveal that maternal warm parenting is directly associated with fewer problem behaviors in children.

Findings also reveal the mediating role of executive function (EF); maternal warmth was strongly associated with children’s EF skills, and EF, in turn, predicted children’s behavioral outcomes.

What are the implications of the main findings?
The findings have meaningful implications for prevention and intervention efforts addressing aspects related to parenting and children’s EF and problem behaviors.The results can inform early intervention efforts aimed at strengthening regulatory capacities and promoting adaptive functioning during the foundational years of schooling.

The findings have meaningful implications for prevention and intervention efforts addressing aspects related to parenting and children’s EF and problem behaviors.

The results can inform early intervention efforts aimed at strengthening regulatory capacities and promoting adaptive functioning during the foundational years of schooling.

Background/Objectives: The present study explored the extent to which children’s executive function (EF) mediates the relationship between maternal warm parenting and children’s problem behaviors during the early school-age years. Methods: Using data from a nationally representative sample of 1516 mother–child dyads participating in the Panel Study on Korean Children, the analysis drew on parent-reported measures collected through standardized questionnaires. Results: Structural equation modeling indicated that warm, responsive maternal parenting contributed to lower levels of children’s problem behaviors both directly and indirectly by fostering stronger EF skills. Conclusions: The findings highlight the developmental importance of warm parenting practices and identify children’s EF as a central mechanism through which early caregiving environments promote behavioral adjustment.