The relationship of maternal separation anxiety, availability of support system and child gender to initial preschool adjustment was examined. Data were collected on 72 middle-class Korean children(35 boys, 37 girls) between the ages of 31 months and 60 months who were entering preschool. Subjects were from intact families, all with non-working mothers. Mothers completed the Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale(MSAS) and indicated the number of extended family members in the home as an index of social support. Classroom teachers completed the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ) for each child after the first 2 weeks and again after 6 weeks of school. Each child was observed by the research team during the first 2 weeks of school and again after the 6th-week using the Child Observation System (COS). Applying the COS observed behavior was classified as being in the dependent, neutral, or active mode. All instruments were culturally relevant as validated by Korean experts. Maternal Separation Anxiety was a significant predictor for girls only, accounting for 11% of initial COS variance (p=＜.05). In contrast, social support was a significant predictor for boys only, accounting for 28% of initial PBQ variance when entered after MSAS(p=.005). A significant difference between initial and 6th-week adjustment was obtained in the expected direction on the COS with behavior improving with time (t=-4.06, p=.001). Although a significant difference between initial and 6th-week PBQ adjustment was also obtained (t=-3.63, p=.001), it was not in the direction expected, problematic behavior were found to increase with time. Cultural and developmental factors help explain the findings. Given the patrilineal social system in Korea, boys are highly preferred over girls. Thus the at-home support system, comprised primarily of grandparents, may have a significant influence on school adjustment particularly of first-born sons. In contrast, since girls are viewed as fragile and vulnerable, mothers may express greater separation anxiety about girls. Finally, as would be expected, older children may be able to develop coping skills more readily than younger ones, as child adjustment on the COS significanlty improved over the 6-week period.