The purpose of this study was to investigate the security of attachment by measuring the relationship between young childrens attachment to their mothers and teachers and their adjustment behavior, and the effects of attachment on childrens adjustment...
The purpose of this study was to investigate the security of attachment by measuring the relationship between young childrens attachment to their mothers and teachers and their adjustment behavior, and the effects of attachment on childrens adjustment behavior in care giving institutions.
The subjects were 169 children (between the ages of 3 and 6) attending day care centers located in Seoul, their mothers and 35 teachers in the institutions. The tool used in the study was Attachment Scale, and Questionnaire on Childrens Adjustment Behavior’ was also administered to the teachers to have them evaluate childrens behavior. The data collected was analysed in various statistical ways, such as percentage, item internal coherence, t-test, and two-way ANOVA.
The results of the study was as follows:
First, boys showed difference in one of the sub-domains of adjustment behavior, positive emotions, depending on the attachment to their mothers. Therefore, the boys who have formed secure attachment with their mothers seem to have more positive emotions than the boys who have not.
Secondly, girls did not show difference in the sub-domains of adjustment behavior regardless of the attachment to their mothers. Therefore, it seems that their adjustment behavior is not influenced by the attachment to their mothers.
Third, boys showed difference in one of the sub-domains of adjustment behavior, sociable behavior, depending on the attachment to their teachers. Therefore, the boys who have formed secure attachment with their teachers seem to show more sociable behavior than the boys who have not.
Fourth, girls showed difference in many sub-domains of adjustment behavior, such as positive emotions, peer adjustment, work and adjustment, degree of adjustment, and degree of perception. Therefore, it seems that the girls who have formed secure attachment with their teachers show better adjustment behavior than the girls who have not.
Fifth, when the interactional effects of the attachment to mothers and the attachment to teachers were investigated, there was neither interactional effects, nor main effects on boys adjustment behavior. However, in girls adjustment behavior, interactional effects were found, but not main effects. Consequently, it was found that boys adjustment behavior was not influenced by the attachment to their mothers or to their teachers. On the other hand, girls adjustment behavior was not related to the attachment to their mothers, but was influenced by the attachment to their teachers.
In this study was found to be important for the girls between the ages 3 and 6 to be able to adjust in care giving institutions. Therefore, the result of the study suggests that the attachment to teachers in care giving institutions may have great influence on children, particularly on girls.