Concept of God in early childhood according to attachment styles

This research aimed to examine the relationship between the attachment styles of children in early childhood and their perceptions of God. The study was conducted using a phenomenological approach, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group of the research consists of 28 children aged 5-6 years who are receiving education in 4-6 Year Quran Courses affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Two qualitative measurement tools were used in the study for data collection purposes. One of these is the "Toy Story Completion Test" developed to determine children's attachment representations; the second is a semi-structured interview form prepared by the researcher to reveal children's perceptions of parents and God. The data were collected from three institutions in Istanbul and Rize; the application was carried out one-to-one with the children. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method and Maxqda qualitative data analysis software. According to the results of the test, children were divided into two groups safe and unsafe, and the findings obtained as a result of the interview were analyzed and interpreted under these headings. According to the findings obtained as a result of the research, it was determined that children who developed a secure attachment relationship gave positive answers to the questions about parents and this positivity also manifested itself in thoughts about God. It was observed that the children thought that God helps people, that God can be taken refuge in times of distress, and that God treats people well and kindly. At the same time, almost all of the children stated that they prayed to God and wanted God to be near them. In children with insecure attachment, it was concluded that although the perception of parents differed from secure children, their thoughts about Allah were not negative. It was stated that this was since God was seen as a compensation figure, an object of attachment substituted for the parent, and the effect of the religious education children received at an early age.