The purpose of the present study was to verify the effects of parent-child attachment on the quality of peer relations, centering on the role of the peer relational skills between the degree of parent-child attachment and the quality of peer relations...
The purpose of the present study was to verify the effects of parent-child attachment on the quality of peer relations, centering on the role of the peer relational skills between the degree of parent-child attachment and the quality of peer relations in the elementary school students.
Specifically, the current research investigated which subfactor(s) associated with the peer relational skills plays as an important mediator between the degree of parent-child attachment and the quality of peer relations. Elementary school students (452 boys and girls) in Masan participated in the study. The quality of peer relations were measured through the peer conflict that the participants felt and the child's popularity was evaluated from three school friends of his or hers. The major results were as follows: First, the data indicated that the average of mother attachment was higher than that of father attachment. In terms of the father-attachment subscales, the intimacy was shown to be highest, followed by trust and communication in order. Regarding the mother-attachment subscales, trust was highest, followed by intimacy and communication in order: Second, it was revealed that the peer relational skills partially mediated between parental attachment and peer relationship. Of the subfactors coupled with the peer relational skills, the leadership and cooperation/consensus were all partially mediated. Namely, the more secure the parental attachment was, the more the child's leadership improved. Thus, there was less conflict in the peer relationship.
Additionally, those students who had a good relationship to their parents had really good cooperation/consensus skills, and there was less conflict. Meanwhile, the peer relationship was found not to mediate between parental attachment and child's popularity.