Abstract:

Goodness of fit model, diathesis-stress model and differential susceptibility model explain the interaction of temperament-parenting on children’s social adjustment from different perspectives. Goodness of fit model emphasizes that well-matched of temperament traits and parenting practices could promote children’s social adjustment, while ill-matched parenting leads to adjustment problems. Diathesis-stress model emphasizes that children with risk temperature traits are more prone to negative parenting, while resilient children do not develop maladjustment problems as a result of negative parenting. Differential susceptibility model suggests that children perform better under the condition of positive parenting and perform worse under negative parenting. Based on three major theories and empirical findings, this article analyzes and summarizes latest empirical results, and further elaborates on the risk factors and protective factors in children’s socialization. Future research should focus on the interaction between temperament and positive parenting, the differentiation of parental roles, and the dynamic interaction between temperament and parenting.

Key words: child temperament, parenting, social adjustment, interaction, theoretical model