3-YEAR-OLD AND HIS ATTACHMENT TO A SPECIAL SOFT OBJECT

In a total population survey of three‐year‐old children, mothers of 702 children were asked about the use by their children of a special soft object in situations of distress and at bedtime. 16·4% of children were currently using such an object. No relationship was found between object usage and sex, social class or sleeping arrangements. Object usage was related to the child's level of independence, tendency to suck fingers and other objects, and ease of going to sleep. There was a tendency for disturbed children to use such objects less. Theorectical implications of the findings are discussed. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved