Effects of Positive Parenting Attitudes on Peer Relationship Quality for Elementary and Middle School Students : The Dual Mediation of Social Mindset and Social Achievement Goals

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of parenting attitudes on peer relationship quality of elementary and middle school students through the mediation of social mindset and social achievement goals. This study utilized questionnaire data from 1,010 students from the 5th grade of elementary school to the 3rd grade of middle school at 2 elementary schools and 2 middle schools in D City. SPSS 23.0 was used to conduct preliminary analysis, and Amos 21.0 was used to conduct two-stage structural equation model analysis to test the hypothesized model. As a result of the study, first, the positive parenting attitudes positively predicted elementary and middle school children's social growth mindset, social achievement goals, and peer relationship quality. Second, elementary and middle school children's social growth mindset and social achievement goals significantly predicted their peer relationship quality, and social growth mindset also had a positive effect on social achievement goals. Third, social growth mindset and social achievement goals each mediated the relationship between elementary and middle school students' perceived parenting style and peer relationship quality, and also had a sequential dual mediation effect. By confirming that positive parenting attitudes directly influence children's social beliefs, motivation, and peer relationship quality this study provides an opportunity to inform parents about the need to foster positive parenting attitudes. In addition, the identification of psychosocial variables (social mindset, social achievement goals) that predict children's social relationships and their causal relationships with parenting attitudes may expand parents' understanding of children's psychology and provide a theoretical basis for program interventions to help elementary and middle school students.