Q-sort assessment of attachment security during the preschool years: Linksfrom home to school

This study investigated relations among preschoolers' secure-bass behavior with mother at home, stressful family conditions, and qualities of developi ng relationships with peers and teachers in preschool. Preschool-age childr en (N = 94; 51 boys and 43 girls) and their mothers were observed during mu ltiple home visits, and their security of attachment was assessed with the Attachment Q-Set. Children in families with lower levels of stress had more secure attachment relationships with mothers. Both buys and girls who were less securely attached to their mothers expressed significantly more anger -aggression in preschool. For boys, higher levels of family stress were als o significantly related to anger-aggression and to social competence in pre school. In addition, boys who were more securely attached to their mothers were more securely attached to their preschool teachers and were more popul ar with peers in preschool.