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Attachment in middle childhood: predictors, correlates, and implications for adaptation
Lea J Boldt1, Grazyna Kochanska1, Rebecca Grekin1
1a Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , University of Iowa , Iowa City , IA , USA.
Attachment & Human Development
|December 18, 2015
Summary
Parental responsiveness in early childhood predicts secure parent-child attachment in middle childhood. This security is linked to better child adaptation, highlighting the long-term impact of consistent care.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Attachment Theory
- Child Development
Background:
- Middle childhood is under-researched in behavioral attachment studies.
- Parent-child attachment dynamics are crucial for child development.
- Longitudinal data on attachment in middle childhood is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antecedents and implications of parent-child attachment at age 10.
- To examine the relationship between early parental responsiveness and later attachment security.
- To assess the association between attachment dimensions and child adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 102 families in the Midwestern US.
- Observed parent-child interactions using Iowa Attachment Behavioral Coding (IABC) at age 10.
- Utilized parent- and observer-rated Attachment Q-Set and children's reports from infancy to age 10.
Main Results:
- History of parental responsiveness predicted attachment security, avoidance, and disorganization at age 10.
- Recent responsive care uniquely predicted attachment security.
- IABC scores correlated with child adaptation measures from ages 10-12.
- Cumulative attachment security from infancy predicted adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Early and consistent parental responsiveness is a significant predictor of secure attachment in middle childhood.
- Attachment security established in childhood has lasting implications for child adaptation.
- Behavioral observations of attachment provide valuable insights into child development.
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