• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.15-33
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate which variables predicted preschoolers' pro-social behavior. Subjects consisted of 250 preschooler-mother pairs; children were 3 to 6 years of age Children's emotional intelligence and pro-social behavior were assessed by classroom teachers. Data on the mothers' socialization beliefs and strategies as well as children's temperament were gathered through maternal self-reported questionnaires. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-tests, correlation and regression analyses. Results showed that children's temperament (withdrawal predisposition) and emotional intelligence (self emotional expression) predicted children's pro-social behavior. Mothers' perceptions of the importance of pro-social behavior correlated negatively with children's pro-social behavior.