유아기 자녀를 양육하는 어머니의 모-자녀 애착 인식에 관한 주관성 연구

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore perceptions of mother-child attachment in mothers with preschoolers. This study aims to classify types of perception and investigate their characteristics using the Q methodology.
 Methods To this end, 145 statements were created through literature analysis and in-depth interviews, and 40 statements were selected among them to create Q-sample. A total of 33 Korean mothers raising their firstborn or only child were chosen as the P-sample, and Q-sorting was conducted. Subsequently, the analysis was conducted using the QUANL Program.
 Results The study results were classified into five types. Type 1 was ‘affectionate and intimate positive emotional attachment type’, characterized by expressing love to their children and fostering positive emotions. Type 2 was ‘ambivalent emotional attachment type to the maternal role’, where mothers prioritize their children over themselves due to their maternal role but experience negative emotions. Type 3 was ‘confused and negative insecure attachment type’, displaying negativity towards themselves as parents and their children. Type 4 was ‘autonomous relationship attachment type that respects children's initiative’, acknowledging and supporting their children's proactive exploration of the world. Type 5 was ‘authoritative relationship attachment type’, characterized by a good understanding of their children, enjoying the relationship, and setting clear rules and boundaries.
 Conclusions The results of this study have research value in that they investigate and categorize the subjective thoughts of mothers who are raising preschool-aged children regarding attachment. It is expected to be used as basic data for parenting counseling and educational program development for mothers with preschool children.