Alexandra Pinto

Direct and indirect relations between parent-child attachments, peer acceptance, and self-esteem for preschool children.

ABSTRACT The present study aims to test Bowlby’s suggestions concerning relations between the child’s attachment quality with parents and subsequently constructed models of self-worth during early childhood. In most research on this question, attachment with mothers is considered in relation to self-worth but the child’s attachment with fathers is not. Neither has the peer group been studied as an influence on child self-esteem, in the context of attachment research. This study addresses these relatively unstudied influences on child self-esteem. Attachment security to mother and father was measured by the Attachment Behavior Q-Set at two and half years of age. At five years of age social acceptance was measured using two sociometric techniques, and the self-esteem with the California Child Q-Sort. Our analyses indicated that security of the attachment to father and peer acceptance are both unique, significant predictors of the childrens’ self-esteem. The security of the attachment to mother was also related to child self-esteem but did not emerge as a uniquely significant predictor. Peer acceptance appeared to moderate of the effect of the security of the attachment to father on the self-esteem of children. Our results extend the relatively sparse literature relating early attachments to self-esteem during early childhood.

Efeitos de Idade e Sexo no Autoconceito de Crianças Pré-Escolares

There are few investigations on the self-concept of preschool children. The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the normative development of self-concept in preschool children, particularly by analyzing the effects of gender and age. In a longitudinal study, our sample consisted of 83 Portuguese children, and data were collected at four and five years old. Self-concept was measured by the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children - PSPCSA. Children presented very high results in all areas of self-concept at both ages. Data seem to indicate that self-concept starts to decline towards the end of the preschool period, at least in some areas. Results suggest a differentiated process of self-development, according to the different domains assessed. Finally, there seem to be differences in self-concept related to the childrens gender, favoring boys. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the developmental process of self-concept.