Preschoolers' secure base script representations in relations to social competence, maternal narrative style and content in a Korean sample

Abstract

A central notion of attachment theory is that the security experienced in the context of interactions with caregiver(s) is reflected in the individual's close interpersonal relationships and psychological adaptation throughout life. In this study, seventy-nine Korean preschoolers' secure base script representations were assessed to examine their relations with social competence, and maternal narrative style and content. Secure base script (SBS) was assessed using three stories from the Attachment Story Completion Task. Preschoo-lers' social competence was measured using maternal reports. Maternal narrative style and content were assessed using memory talk procedure. Results indicated that preschoolers with higher SBS scores were rated by their mothers as being more socially competent. Further, child SBS scores were significantly associated with maternal narrative style and content. Findings suggest that SBS representations are found among Korean preschoolers and SBS representations show a continuing connection to social competence and maternal narrative style and content.