Abstract

This study investigates maternal cognitive emotion regulation strategies and controlling behaviors as mediators in the relationship between maternal maladaptive perfectionism and children's behavioral problems. Overall, 402 mothers with children aged 2-5 responded to a self-report questionnaire. The date were analyzed by SPSS 25 and AMOS 25. The results showed that, mothers’ maladaptive perfectionism predicted their children's behavioral problems, which was mediated by maladaptive maternal cognitive emotion regulation strategies, but not by controlling childrearing behaviors. Specifically, maladaptive maternal cognition emotion regulation strategies significantly affected children's behavioral problems. The findings suggest the necessity for interventions designed to facilitate the adaptive cognitive coping skills for mothers with maladaptive perfectionism.