This study explored the associations between parental Type D personality (TDP), parent⁻child interactive activities, and children's hyperactive behaviors. Moreover, the study examined whether parent⁻child interactive activities mediated the associations between parental TDP and children's hyperactive behaviors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among children from all kindergartens in a district of a southern city in China. Data on parental TDP, the frequency of parent⁻child interactive activities, children's hyperactive behaviors, and socio-demographic characteristics were provided by 47,648 parent⁻child dyads. Multiple regression analysis was employed to assess the associations between parental TDP, parent⁻child interactive activities, and children's hyperactive behaviors. Mediation analysis was applied to explore the mediating role of parent⁻child interactive activities on the associations between parental TDP and children's hyperactive behaviors. Parental TDP was negatively associated with the frequency of parent⁻child interactive activities and positively associated with children's hyperactive behaviors. The frequencies of parent⁻child interactive activities were negatively associated with children's hyperactive behaviors. The frequency of parent⁻child interactive activities partially mediated the associations between parental TDP and children's hyperactive behaviors. Future research may consider parental TDP and parent⁻child interactive activities as potential important predictors of hyperactive behaviors in children. Such research will help identify further targets for intervention to reduce hyperactive behaviors in children.
Keywords: children; hyperactive behaviors; mediation; parental type D personality; parent–child interactive activities.