Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating and moderating effects of teacher-child relationships on children's social behavior and peer preference. The participants were 508 children and 28 head teachers of their classes. Teachers measured the children's social behavior and the teacher-child relationships. Peer preference was measured by peer nomination. The association between prosocial behavior and peer preference was partially mediated by teacher-child conflict. The association between withdrawal, aggression and peer preference was fully mediated by teacher-child conflict. The moderating effects of teacher-child conflict were found between prosocial behavior and peer preference. In addition, teacher-child conflict moderated the association between physical aggression and peer preference. (peer preference), -(teacher-child relationships), (prosocial behavior), (withdrawal)
