Fluctuations in children’s self-regulation and parent-child interaction in everyday life: An ambulatory assessment study

Abstract

Self-regulation has mostly been studied as an intrapersonal trait which fluctuates across time and impacts everyday behavior related to individual goal pursuit and achievement. Although it is plausible that self-regulation affects not only individuals but also their social network, there is less research on how self-regulation levels and fluctuations are linked to social processes in daily life, such as interactions between children and their parents. To this end, this study tracked children’s (aged 9 to 11 years; N = 70) self-regulation, and their daily interaction quality with parents, across 54 days, using child and parental self-reports. Participants reported higher interaction quality in dyads in which children showed higher self-regulation levels in comparison to others, as well as on days on which children showed higher self-regulation compared to their typical levels. The extent of this association varied between dyads, which needs to be addressed in future studies. As self-regulation and parent-child interaction quality fluctuate in parallel, this study suggests that researchers should aim to understand the underlying mechanisms in order to develop dynamic self-regulation interventions in family contexts and improve family well-being.

Profiles of executive functions in middle childhood and prediction of later self-regulation

“…This is also linked to a state-trait disparity that is seldom addressed in research on EF development. While many studies assume EF to be a stable trait based partially on biological factors ( Engelhardt et al, 2015 ), others indicate fluctuations and states of EF in repeated measurements ( Ludwig et al, 2016 ) for example due to a child’s level of exercise, affective state, or quality of social interaction before testing ( Becker et al, 2014 ; Ludwig et al, 2016 ; Moschko et al, 2022 ). Thus, experimental paradigms may capture more of the current SR state, whereas parent- or teacher-reported data captures more general patterns of SR.…”

Self‐control fluctuates from day to day and is linked to subjective well‐being within and between persons

“…One possible mechanism underlying the observed within‐person link might be that on days of high self‐control, individuals experience more harmonious interpersonal contacts (Finkel & Campbell, 2001; Moschko et al, 2023), resulting in better affective well‐being and higher life satisfaction. In our study, we included five different life domains (satisfaction with family, friends, university, oneself, and life in general) in the life satisfaction score (Diener, 2009).…”

Suggestions for the Design of Home Parent-child Interactive Fitness Products based on Internet of Things (IoT) Technology

“…The accelerated pace of life has resulted in less time for parents and children to spend together, and parents are often too busy with their work to recognize the importance of parent-child interaction for children's development. According to the Chinese children's age division standard, school-age children are the age when the school education mechanism works, as the future of the motherland, is in the important stage of physical and mental development, effective interaction between parents and children is conducive to the healthy growth of children [2]. Home fitness products as people at work, study leisure time of a kind of exercise, relaxation and decompression, but also can not be subject to the weather, the environment and other factors, is gradually by the public favorite.…”