The role of age and self-control in shaping prosocial behavior: Age and preschool attendance as moderators

Abstract

Background: The development of self-control in early childhood is crucial for fostering prosocial behaviors such as helping, sharing, and comforting. This study explores the relationship between self-control and prosocial behavior in preschool children, considering the influence of age and preschool attendance. Objective: To investigate how age and preschool attendance moderate the relationship between self-control and prosocial behaviors in young children. Participants and Setting: A sample of 97 preschoolers aged 36 to 72 months was assessed using the Social Behavior Assessment System for Preschool and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised. Methods: The study employed path analysis to examine the direct effects of age on self-control and prosocial behaviors, and the moderating role of preschool attendance in these relationships. Results: The findings indicate that age positively influences both self-control and prosocial behaviors. Additionally, preschool attendance significantly moderates the relationship between self-control and prosocial behavior, with children attending preschool demonstrating higher levels of both traits. The effect sizes for the relationships were statistically significant, with a path coefficient of .41 for age's influence on self-control and .38 for self-control's impact on prosocial behavior (p < .001). Conclusions: Enhancing self-control in preschool settings can significantly boost prosocial behaviors in children. These findings underscore the importance of early childhood education in promoting social and emotional development.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 2026 · DOI ↗