THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTING STYLES AND SOCIAL ADAPTABILITY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN CHINA

Background: The importance of family education has risen, yet issues persist. China's "Law on Family Education" clarifies its responsibilities. Parents' parenting styles deeply influence children's social adaptability and growth. This study in Xinxiang explores the relationship between parenting styles and preschoolers' social adaptability, aiming to provide guidance for optimal parenting and children's healthy development. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2023 in Xinxiang City, China. Using multi-stage random sampling, a total of 1,058 parents and teachers of preschool children from eight kindergartens in Xinxiang were surveyed through questionnaires, with 995 valid responses collected. The research tools included a general demographic questionnaire, a social adaptability questionnaire, and a parenting style questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0, including independent sample t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression analysis. Results: The study found significant differences in social adaptability of preschool children based on gender, age, only child, household monthly income, and Paternaleducation level (t=-4.50, P=0.000; F=5.32, P=0.002; F=2.10, P=0.036; F=5.88, P=0.01; F=6.05, P=0.002). Among parenting styles, "rejection" and "preference" were negatively correlated with children's social adaptability (r = -0.098, P < 0.01；r =-0.065,P < 0.05), while "emotional warmth" and "overprotection" were positively correlated with children's social adaptability(r=0.108, P