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Reconsidering the links between sibship size, maternal sensitivity, and child attachment: A multidimensional
Annie Bernier1, Raphaële Miljkovitch2, George M Tarabulsy3
1Department of Psychology, University of Montreal.
Summary
Sibship size impacts maternal sensitivity, particularly for mothers with insecure attachment styles. However, it does not affect infant attachment security, highlighting the complexity of parent-child relationships.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Attachment Theory
- Parenting Studies
Background:
- Sibship, or the number of siblings, is a known factor in child development but is understudied in attachment and maternal sensitivity research.
- Previous research found greater maternal sensitivity but not more secure attachment in first-born infants.
- The influence of sibship on maternal sensitivity and child attachment requires further investigation, considering maternal psychological factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sibship size and specific dimensions of maternal sensitivity.
- To examine if maternal attachment state of mind moderates the link between sibship size and maternal sensitivity.
- To determine the association between sibship size and child attachment security.
Main Methods:
- Assessed maternal sensitivity (accessibility, positivity, cooperativeness) at 12 months in 258 mother-infant dyads.
- Assessed child attachment at 15 and 25 months.
- Maternal attachment state of mind was also evaluated.
Main Results:
- Mothers with more children showed less accessibility/availability and less positivity, but not less cooperativeness/attunement.
- These effects were significant only for mothers with an insecure attachment state of mind.
- Sibship size was not related to child attachment security.
Conclusions:
- Sibship size influences specific aspects of maternal sensitivity, especially in mothers with insecure attachment.
- Parental moderators, like attachment state of mind, are crucial for understanding sibship's impact.
- Ignoring dimensions of sensitivity and parental moderators may lead to inaccurate conclusions about birth order and sibship size effects.
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