The crucial role of parents in shaping child development has been widely recognized, with extensive research focusing on various aspects such as parenting styles, attachment relationships, and specific parenting practices. Mind-mindedness, defined as a parent's ability to recognize and understand their child's mental states, is emerging as an important factor in child development. The present study sought to investigate cross-cultural differences in maternal mind-mindedness, parenting practices, and their relationship to child compliance in China and Canada. The participants included 136 Chinese mother-child dyads and 83 Canadian mother-child dyads, with children ranging from ages 4 to 7. Maternal mind-mindedness, parenting practices, and child compliance were coded through observational method. Results suggest that while Canadian mothers were more mind-minded, Chinese mothers were more power assertive. Moreover, maternal parenting practices mediated the relationship between mind-mindedness and child compliance in China. This study cultivated a culturally sensitive understanding of the parent-child relationship.
Author Keywords: Child Compliance, Culture, Maternal Involvement, Mind-Mindedness, Parenting, Power Assertion