The Predictive Power of Socio‐Economically Disadvantaged Children's Problem Solving Skills and Their Mothers' Parental Attitudes on Theirs Resilience Levels

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the predictive power of problem‐solving skills and maternal parenting attitudes on the resilience levels of 5‐year‐old children living in socio‐economically disadvantaged communities. The study sample consisted of 208 five‐year‐old children attending independent kindergartens affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in socio‐economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the central district of Batman province and their mothers. Data were collected using the Early Childhood Resilience Scale, the Problem‐Solving Skill Scale and the Parental Attitude Scale. The study employed a correlational research design, and the data were analysed using independent samples t tests, one‐way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis tests, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicated that the children generally demonstrated high levels of resilience. A significant difference in resilience was found according to fathers' age, whereas no significant differences were observed with respect to children's gender, number of siblings, mothers' age or parental education levels. Resilience was positively associated with children's problem‐solving skills, indicating that children with stronger problem‐solving abilities also exhibited higher resilience. Furthermore, among the parenting attitudes examined, only mothers' overprotective attitudes significantly predicted children's resilience, showing a negative association. These findings suggest that early childhood interventions designed to strengthen problem‐solving skills and reduce overprotective parenting practices may contribute to enhancing resilience among preschool children. Incorporating problem‐solving activities into preschool curricula and supporting families through parent education programs may further promote children's resilience.