Attachment to a special object at the age of three years: behavior and temperament characteristics

This study attempts to estimate the prevalence rate of attachment to a special object in a total population sample of three-year-olds drawn from an ongoing epidemiologic survey. The significance of object attachment at age three for the development of behavioral disturbance is assessed through two separate measures. Data from parental reports of temperament characteristics and observational codings of play sessions in the home setting are also presented. While the authors conclude that attachment to a special object is not related to behavioral disturbance, certain temperamental and play behavior characteristics were found to be significant.