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Children's use of transitional objects during daily separations from significant caregivers
S L Triebenbacher1, D W Tegano
1Department of Child Development and Family Relations, School of Human Environmental Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Toddlers using transitional objects during separation from caregivers showed ritualistic behaviors. These findings suggest transitional objects may ease mild separation anxiety in childcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Child psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Attachment theory
Background:
- Separation anxiety is common in toddlers during childcare transitions.
- Transitional objects are frequently used by young children to cope with stress.
- Understanding coping mechanisms during separation is crucial for child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To observe and analyze attachment behaviors in toddlers during separation from caregivers.
- To investigate the role of transitional objects in facilitating separation.
- To explore the relationship between transitional object use and anxiety reduction.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of 105 toddlers during separation at child care.
- Focused on attachment behaviors and the use of transitional objects.
- Documented ritualistic touching behaviors and their targets.
Main Results:
- Children attached to a transitional object exhibited ritualistic touching behaviors when separating.
- These behaviors were directed at various targets.
- Transitional object use was associated with separation from caregivers.
Conclusions:
- Transitional objects may facilitate the separation process for toddlers.
- The use of transitional objects might reduce anxiety in mildly stressful situations.
- Ritualistic behaviors may be a manifestation of coping with separation.