The Relationship between Mothers' Scolding and Negative Emotions and its Moderators: A Four-week Longitudinal Study Using the Experience Sampling Method

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between scolding and negative emotions among mothers and how abuse anxiety, marital satisfaction, and children's birth order moderate it. Ninety-nine mothers (53 primiparas and 46 multiparas) caring for 2- and 3-year-old children were surveyed. Participants were given Android phones with an experience sampling method application installed. They were asked to answer questions when notified daily between 10 pm and 12 pm for four weeks. The results indicated that scolding typically leads to higher levels of negative emotion; however, none of the interactions were significant. While it has been suggested that feeling negative emotions during parenting may facilitate the development of mothers' parenting skills, it may also facilitate mental illness. Thus, relieving negative emotions after scolding their children may help promote mothers' mental health.