The Impact of Family Functioning on Children’s Social Adaptation: A Moderated Mediation Model
Description
This dataset supports a study investigating the psychological mechanisms linking family functioning to children's positive social adaptation in Chinese kindergartens. Research hypothesis: We hypothesized that family functioning would positively predict children's social adaptation, that emotion regulation ability would mediate this relationship, and that the parent-child relationship would moderate the mediation pathway (specifically the family functioning → emotion regulation link). How data were gathered: Data were collected via structured paper-based questionnaires administered in multiple kindergartens across China. Participants included 858 children (aged 3–6 years) along with their parents (primary caregivers) and classroom teachers. Parents reported on family functioning and parent-child relationship; teachers rated children's social adaptation and emotion regulation ability. Random selection was facilitated by kindergarten administrators. All participants provided written informed consent; anonymity and the right to withdraw were guaranteed. The survey included validated scales: Family Functioning Scale, Social Adaptation Scale, Emotion Regulation Checklist, and Parent-Child Relationship Scale. What the data shows: Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed construct validity. Moderated mediation analysis (bootstrapping 5,000 iterations) revealed: Direct effect: Family functioning significantly and positively predicted children's social adaptation. Mediation: Emotion regulation ability partially mediated this relationship. Moderation: Parent-child relationship quality moderated the first stage of the mediation (family functioning → emotion regulation). The positive effect of family functioning on emotion regulation—and consequently its indirect effect on social adaptation—was stronger for children with a high-quality parent-child relationship compared to those with a low-quality relationship. Notable findings: Emotion regulation emerges as a critical mediating mechanism between family environment and child social outcomes. The moderating role of parent-child relationship highlights that a supportive relationship amplifies the benefits of good family functioning, while a poor relationship attenuates them. How to interpret and use the data: Researchers can use this dataset to replicate the moderated mediation model, explore additional covariates (e.g., child age, gender, socioeconomic status), or test alternative theoretical pathways.The dataset is suitable for secondary analyses on child development, family psychology, and early childhood education. Note: Cross-sectional design limits causal inference; longitudinal extensions are encouraged. Data are de-identified and provided under CC0 license. Keywords: family functioning; social adaptation; emotion regulation; parent-child relationship; kindergarten; moderated mediation; China
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Steps to reproduce
Data were collected through survey questionnaires administered in multiple kindergartens across China. Participants were specifically identified as key caregivers and influencers of children, encompassing both parents and kindergarten teachers. To ensure a robust and representative sample, individuals were randomly selected from collaborating kindergartens with the dedicated assistance of kindergarten administrators and teachers. Prior to their involvement, all participants underwent an informed consent process, which clearly articulated the research objectives, the detailed data collection procedures, the absolute confidentiality of their responses, and their inherent right to withdraw from the study at any time without adverse consequence. Following the comprehensive data collection phase, a total of 858 valid responses were obtained for analysis. Instruments used: Participants completed structured questionnaires assessing family functioning, children’s emotion regulation ability, social adaptation, and parent-child relationship. All instruments were validated scales appropriate for the study population. Analytical software and workflows: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to verify the construct validity of the measurement models. Moderated mediation modeling with bootstrapping (5,000 iterations) was employed to examine the hypothesized pathways (family functioning → emotion regulation → social adaptation, moderated by parent-child relationship). All analyses were performed using standard statistical software packages capable of structural equation modeling and bootstrap procedures. The exact software names, version numbers, and syntax files are included in the companion files of this data deposit (e.g., Mplus, SPSS, R scripts) to enable full reproduction of the reported results. Reproducibility notes: The complete anonymized dataset (in .csv format), a detailed codebook with variable labels and scoring instructions, and all analysis syntax are provided. Researchers can replicate the reported findings by running the provided syntax on the data. No reagents or laboratory instruments were used; this is a survey-based social science study.