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International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

Relationship between Maternal Attachment and Behavioral Adjustment Problems among Children in Selangor, Malaysia

Wang Yin Tan, Nellie Ismail, Zarinah Arshat

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i7/10098

Open access

Maternal attachment is known to be associated with children’s behavioral adjustment problems. Behavioural adjustment problems that emerge during childhood often persist into adolescence and are associated with various negative outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between maternal attachment and behavioral adjustment problems among children in Selangor, Malaysia. The specific objectives are to determine demographic factors, maternal attachment with behavioral adjustment. It is also to determine the differences in behavioral adjustment between male and female. By using multi-stage cluster random sampling technique, 400 married mothers of children (aged between 10 and 11) were selected from 22 primary schools in Selangor. Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to measure maternal attachment and behavioral adjustment problems respectively.Results showed that children with higher educated mothers are less likely to develop behavioral adjustment problems. The results also revealed that boys have greater behavioral adjustment problems than girls. Yet, the results reported that higher scores of maternal attachment was associated with lower levels of children’s behavioral adjustment problems. This study suggests that children who grow with a healthy attachment to their mothers stand a better chance of developing positive behaviors.

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In-Text Citation: (Tan et al., 2021)
To Cite this Article: Tan, W. Y., Ismail, N., & Zarshat, A. (2021). Relationship between Maternal Attachment and Behavioral Adjustment Problems among Children in Selangor, Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(7), 1023–1034.