Transitional Object Use, Attachment and Help Seeking Behaviour in Taiwanese Adolescents

Background: Transitional object use is psychologically beneficial for young children, but research suggests that maintaining transitional object use into middle childhood may be associated with negative behaviour. Little is known about the continuation of transitional object use into adolescence, and few studies have been conducted with non-Western populations. Aim: To examine differences in attachment and attitudes to help seeking in adolescents who did and did not use a transitional object. Method: 723 adolescents from Taiwan (mean age 14 years) were asked about their current and past use of transitional objects. Measures of attachment were obtained using the Revised Adult Attachment Scale, and attitudes towards help was measured using the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help scale. Results: In total, 37% of the sample continued transitional object use in adolescence. Current use of a transitional object differentiated the sample on the measures of attachment and help seeking. Transitional object users were less likely to have secure attachments and less likely to express positive attitudes towards seeking help. Conclusion: Transitional object use is prevalent in Taiwanese adolescents, and we suggest that continued use of a transitional object acts as an indicator of potential withdrawal from support offered in schools.