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This study investigated how mothers’ play participation relates to children’s playfulness, focusing on the mediating role of the parent – child relationship and examining mothers’ beliefs about the purposes of play and how they conceptualize their roles in children’s play. The participants were 404 mothers of children aged 4–6 years, who completed online questionnaires. Quantitative findings indicated that maternal play participation was positively associated with children’s playfulness, both directly and indirectly, through parent – child relationship quality. The qualitative findings revealed that mothers viewed play as an experience uniquely characteristic of childhood that was enjoyable, relaxing, and developmentally supportive. In addition, the analysis showed that mothers participated in their children’s play in three primary roles: co-player, play supporter, and instructor. These insights into the nature and meaning of maternal play involvement provide interpretive depth to quantitative associations and clarify how maternal play participation may directly and indirectly relate to children’s playfulness.
Özdemir et al. (Wed,) studied this question.