This study was conducted in order to investigate the influence of parent attachment on children of multi-cultural families and children of Korean families via perception and socio-demographic variables in regards to the adjustment of children’s scho...
This study was conducted in order to investigate the influence of parent attachment on children of multi-cultural families and children of Korean families via perception and socio-demographic variables in regards to the adjustment of children’s school life. In order to achieve this purpose, 95 students from multi-cultural families (grades 1-6) in 12 elementary schools and 122 students of Korean families (grades 2-6) in 5 elementary schools in Incheon, Korea participated in a survey. Analysis was conducted by verifying the reliability of the data, verifying the differences and influences among variables, using frequency analysis, correlation coefficient, and a t-test, and calculating hierarchical regression.
The results of this study are as follows: first, Korean children perceive a higher level of attachment from their parents than what children of multi-cultural families perceive, and there is no difference in the degree of the adjustment of children’s school life between them. Second, when the perceived attachment of the parents to both children of multi-cultural and Korean families is stronger, the degree of the adjustment of children’s school life is the higher. Third, in children of multi- cultural families, the socio-demographic variables are more influential on female children than on male children as related to the degree of the adjustment of the children’s school life. When both the mother’s attachment and the father’s attachment are stronger, children tend to adapt to school life better. In children of Korean families, higher graders tend to adapt to school life more than lower graders do when the level of their mother’s attachment is higher.
In reflection of these results, the study presents various educational programs and practical directions in order to develop the adjustment of children’s school life. Lastly, the meaning and limitation of the study were discussed.