Abstract

This study explores the relations between patterns of attachment and emotional regulation strategies, play and exploratory behaviors in early infancy. Fifty children (26 males, 24 females; 12-16 month-olds) along with their mothers served as subjects in the study. Results showed a significant negative correlation between reactivity and number of toys, confirming the complementary yet mutually inhibiting nature of the attachment and exploratory systems, with specific differences based on infant attachment patterns. Moreover, the study showed gender differences in affective regulation strategies.