Study on the correlation between the social emotional levels of children aged 1-3 and parental Meta-emotion Association between parental meta-emotion philosophy and social-emotional competence in children aged 1 - 3 years

XU Yuying; WANG Suqing; SUN Heng; YU Liping

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0504

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5) : 513-518. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0504

Special Column on Nurturing Care & Growth and Development

Study on the correlation between the social emotional levels of children aged 1-3 and parental Meta-emotion Association between parental meta-emotion philosophy and social-emotional competence in children aged 1 - 3 years

XU Yuying^1,2, WANG Suqing², SUN Heng¹, YU Liping^2,3

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the association between parental meta-emotion philosophy and social-emotional competence in children aged 1 - 3 years, so as to provide evidence for promoting early social-emotional development in children. Methods Using convenience sampling, children aged 1 - 3 years and their primary caregivers who visited the Wuchang District Maternal and Child Health Center in Hubei Province from October 2022 to August 2023 were enrolled. Data were collected using a general demographic questionnaire, the Parental Meta-Emotion Philosophy Scale, andInfant and Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to examine the relationship between parental meta-emotion philosophy and children's social-emotional competence. Results A total of 401 children were included, with an average age of (27.96±8.07) months; 212 were boys (52.9%) and 189 were girls (47.1%). Univariate analysis showed that child sex (t=2.154), only-child status(t=2.598), paternal educational level (F=4.616), family income (F=3.530), family structure(F=2.889), and number of electronic devices (t=1.996) were associated with children's social-emotional competence scores (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that the total score of parental meta-emotion philosophy was positively correlated with children's social-emotional competence (r=0.167, P<0.01). After adjusting for relevant confounding factors, multiple linear regression analysis showed that parental meta-emotion philosophy remained positively associated with children's social-emotional competence scores (β=0.091, 95%CI: 0.038 - 0.145, P=0.001). Conclusions Parental meta-emotion philosophy is associated with social-emotional competence in children aged 1 - 3 years and may be one of the family-related factors influencing children's early social-emotional development. Healthcare professionals should enhance their understanding of parents' meta-emotional philosophy to promote the healthy development of children's social-emotional skills.

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children aged 1 - 3 years / parental meta-emotion philosophy / social emotional competence

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XU Yuying, WANG Suqing, SUN Heng, YU Liping. Study on the correlation between the social emotional levels of children aged 1-3 and parental Meta-emotion Association between parental meta-emotion philosophy and social-emotional competence in children aged 1 - 3 years[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2026, 34(5): 513-518 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0504

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