Abstract
Previous literature on non-parental caregivers and attachment has focused on professional caregivers and child characteristics that influence a secure attachment relationship. However, there is little empirical research on non-professional caregivers and their characteristics that may influence a secure attachment relationship with toddlers. The purpose of this study is to explore non-professional caregivers’ characteristics (such as education, experience, investment and temperament) that influence attachment security of the toddlers in their care. Parents of 47 toddlers filled out surveys regarding their children. Participants also comprised of 28 student staff at a public university’s children center. These participants completed surveys and questionnaires regarding demographics, attachment and temperaments. Multiple regressions analysis and General Linear Modeling (ANOVA) were used to determine where caregiver characteristics and child factors (caregiver stability, education, experience, ad investment, child’s age, and child temperament) correlated with security scores. Results found significant correlations between the number of hours non-parental caregivers work, and a positive adjustment with children. It was also found that the child’s age (the older they were) was significantly correlated with their relationship with caregivers. However, caregivers’ education, experience, investment and temperament were not found to be significantly correlated with the attachment relationship with the children in their care.