Research on relationship between preschoolers'  shyness  and   social skills  under the based on a  moderated mediation model

SHAO Yuqi; YAO Mengmeng; GENG Lina; LI Yanwei; CHI Xia

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0683

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3) : 248-253. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0683

Original Articles

Research on relationship between preschoolers' shyness and social skills under the based on a moderated mediation model

SHAO Yuqi^1,2, YAO Mengmeng², GENG Lina³, LI Yanwei¹, CHI Xia²

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Abstract

Objective To explore the impact of shyness traits on young children's social skills, the mediating role of emotion regulation, and the moderating role of executive functions, so as to provide insights for improving social skills in early childhood. Methods In December 2021, a questionnaire survey was conducted among parents of 818 children aged 3 to 6 from three kindergartens in Nanjing using the Child Behavior Checklist, Emotion Regulation Checklist, Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and Social Skills Rating System. The PROCESS 4.0 plugin in SPSS 27.0 was used to verify the moderated mediation model. Results 1) Shyness traits were significantly negatively correlated with children's social skills(β=-0.24, P<0.01). 2) Emotion regulation partially mediated the relationship between children's shyness traits and social skills, accounting for 14.71% of the mediation effect(β=-0.29, P<0.01). 3) Executive functions moderated the direct path between shyness traits and social skills(β=0.29, 95%CI: 0.20 - 0.37, P<0.01) as well as both the antecedent and consequent paths of the mediation effect of emotion regulation(antecedent path: β=0.15, 95%CI: 0.07 - 0.24, P<0.01; consequent path: β=0.08, 95%CI: 0.01 - 0.15, P<0.01). Conclusions There is a moderated mediation effect between shyness traits and social skills, with emotion regulation serving as a mediator in this relationship. Executive functions play a moderating role in the mediation model where shyness traits predict social skills through emotion regulation. By creating game situations that develop executive functions and emotion regulation skills, and improving individuals' cognitive patterns and emotion regulation strategies, the development of young children's social skills may be promoted.

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social skills / shyness / executive function / emotion regulation

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SHAO Yuqi, YAO Mengmeng, GENG Lina, LI Yanwei, CHI Xia. Research on relationship between preschoolers' shyness and social skills under the based on a moderated mediation model[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(3): 248-253 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0683

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