Abstract: This investigation examined the relationship between infants' and young children's negative behavioral characteristics and their mothers' parenting diffi-culties, and the mediating factors influencing parenting difficulties of mothers whose young children have more negative behaviors. 572 mothers of children in the 1-6-year-old age range were asked to fill out Parenting difficulties Scale (for mothers), Early Behavioral Characteristics Scale and Family Relationship Questionnaire, and report on the general demographic information about their families. Results indicated: (a) The pattern of the distribution of children's negative behavioral characteristics was similar at each age level;(b) Mothers' parenting difficulties were positively and significantly related to their children's negative behavioral characteristics; (c)Mothers' age at the birth.of their child, educational level, occupation, quality of marital relationship, and perceived social support were found to be important factors mediating the parenting difficulties of mothers of children with more negative behavioral characteristics.

Key words: mother, parenting difficulties, child, negative behavioral characteristics