The quality and quantity of mother-toddler conflicts in two contexts

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the quantity and quality of the mother-toddler conflicts in two contexts. Forty mother-toddler pairs participated in the study in South Korea. Conflict episodes were identified and coded during free play and cleanup context. The results of this study were as follows. Mother-toddler conflict lasted longer in cleanup context than in free play context. The initiator of the conflict was mainly the toddler rather than the mother in both contexts. Conflict mostly occurred because of rules or activity/play methods. In free play context, activity/play methods or rules were, and in cleanup context, rules were the main cause of the conflict. The strategies mothers and children used most often were aggravation, justification, and mitigation in order, but mothers used mitigation strategy the most, and children used aggravation strategy the most. This tendency was more pronounced in cleanup context than in free play context. When the conflict was compromised to a resolution, the mother played a central role in both contexts. This study provides implications for reducing the amount of conflict between mothers and children and improving interaction with the toddler by considering the context of conflict.