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Infant Attachment Moderates Paths From Early Negativity to Preadolescent Outcomes for Children and Parents
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Infant Attachment Moderates Paths From Early Negativity to Preadolescent Outcomes for Children and Parents

Lea J Boldt, Grazyna Kochanska and Katherine Jonas
Child development, Vol.88(2), pp.584-596
03/2017
DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12607
PMCID: PMC5332538
PMID: 27569427
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12607View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Although infant attachment has been long seen as key for development, its long‐term effects may be complex. Attachment may be a catalyst or moderator of future developmental sequelae rather than a source of main effects. In 102 mothers, fathers, and infants, attachment was assessed at 15 months; children's negativity (rejection of parental rules and modeling attempts) at 25, 38, 52, and 67 months; and developmental outcomes (the child's parent‐rated externalizing problems and the parent–child observed relationship quality) at ages 10 and 12. In both mother–child and father–child relationships, children's higher negativity was associated with more detrimental outcomes but only in dyads with formerly insecure infants. Infant insecurity appears to amplify detrimental cascades, whereas infant security appears to defuse such risks.

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