Abstract:

The aim of this study is to examine the emotion regulation and attachment patterns of children aged between four to six years old. The sample of the present study consisted of randomly chosen 38 girls and 22 boys, 60 children in total, between the ages of 4-6 years from private and public schools, in Istanbul. All data were collected by applying Sociodemographic Characteristics and Information Forms, Preschool Self Regulation Assessment-PSRA in Turkish context and Safe Place Scenarios Test. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Correlation and Independent T-Test. Results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between Secure Attachment Level and Emotion Regulation Skill (p<.01). In addition, according to the findings obtained from the classification of secure and insecure attachment, it was found that children (N=30) with secure attachment patterns had more advanced emotion regulation skills than the children (N=30) who had insecure attachment patterns (t (45.61) =6.33, p<.001). Again, the attention/impulse control of children with a secure attachment patterns were found to be higher than the children with insecure attachment patterns (t (58) = 6.33, p<.001). The results support the knowledge that the attachment style between the child and the caregiver in the literature is an important factor in emotion regulation. Keywords: emotion regulation, preschool, attachment styles, safe location scenarios, self regulation.

Keywords: