Play Behaviors of Mothers of Preschoolers: Attachment and Cultural Comparison

The present study attempted to discuss how maternal sensitivity and responsiveness which have been indicated to the development of a secure relationship and maternal teaching behaviors implied Chinese values were displayed during a short-term laboratory free play session. 30 mothers and their preschoolers from Taipei participated in Study 1. All dyads were observed at home by AQS, maternal behaviors during play were observed in a 15-minute laboratory session by QMP-2nded. Two groups were classified as “secure attachment” and “insecure attachment”. The dependent variables included “physical interruption”, “responsiveness”, “sensitivity” etc. which represented different dimensions of maternal play and another one was “secure maternal playing score”. No significant differences were existed in maternal sensitivity and responsiveness, and “secure maternal playing score” between the securely and insecurely attached children. Mothers of securely attached children exhibited more “physical interruption” than did mothers of insecurely attached children. In order to understand the cultural effect, the subjects in Study 2 included 30 dyads from Study 1 (Taiwan) and 16 dyads from Long Island New York. The independent variables were “gender” and “culture”. The dependent variables included “praises and affections”, “teaching & directives”, “responsiveness” etc. which represented different dimensions of maternal play from QMP-1, and two scores of playing concept which were based on different socialization goals. The result of this study confirmed previous findings from ethnographic approach that Chinese mothers are more likely to use teaching and directives, and apply “opportunity education”