Relation of Preschool Dependency Behavior to Family Size and Density

An index measuring family size and density was derived from weighted scores of four pertinent components. In a sample of 44 pre-school males studied in a research nursery school setting, this index correlated .53 with a rating scale "Child initiated contact with female teacher," indicating that males from large congested families initiated contact more frequently. Large family size and high density reduce maternal availability. Lack of availability of the mother could cause increased anxiety in a child, or it could constitute a deprivation situation for a dependency drive. Contact behavior would be expected to increase based on either interpretation.