The Relation Between Self-differentiation and Parenting Behavior for Mothers with Middle School Students: The sequential mediating effects of parenting stress and resilience

Objectives: This study was conducted to confirm the sequential mediating effects of parenting stress and resilience in the relationship between self-differentiation and parenting behavior of mothers with children in middle school. Methods: A Google survey was conducted in March 2024 on 501 mothers of children in middle school residing across the country, and 501 copies were used for analysis. Results: Parenting stress showed a complete mediating effect in the relationship between mother’s self-differentiation and parenting behavior, whereas resilience showed a partial mediating effect in this relationship. Further, a sequential mediating effect of parenting stress and resilience in the relationship between mother’s self-differentiation and parenting behavior was also found. Conclusions: These findings are significant in that they present useful data and evidence to help mothers who complain of difficulties in raising middle school students; and based on this, the direction of parental education programs and counseling intervention methods are suggested.