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Attachment security in Georgian foster children: the role of parental sensitivity and child internalizing and

Nino Jorjadze1, Julia Festini2, Ina Bovenschen3

  • 1Faculty II, Developmental Science and Special Education, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany.

Attachment & Human Development
|April 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Foster parents' sensitivity, particularly supportive presence and low hostility, enhances foster children's attachment security. Interventions should focus on improving parental sensitivity and reducing hostility for better child outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Attachment security is crucial for child development.
  • Foster care presents unique challenges to forming secure attachments.
  • Parental sensitivity is a key factor in child attachment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between foster parents' sensitivity dimensions and foster children's attachment security.
  • To examine the moderating role of supportive presence on behavioral problems and attachment.
  • To identify distinct parenting profiles associated with attachment security.

Main Methods:

  • The study included 61 foster children (33-90 months) and their foster mothers.
  • Foster mothers' sensitivity dimensions (overall sensitivity, supportive presence, hostility) were assessed.
  • Attachment security and children's behavioral problems were measured.

Main Results:

  • Higher foster mother sensitivity, supportive presence, and lower hostility correlated with greater attachment security.
  • Supportive presence buffered the negative impact of externalizing behaviors on attachment.
  • Three parenting profiles emerged, with high supportive presence, respect for autonomy, and low hostility linked to the highest security.

Conclusions:

  • Enhancing parental sensitivity and reducing hostility are vital for foster family interventions.
  • Targeted support for foster parents of children with externalizing behaviors is recommended.
  • Specific parenting dimensions significantly influence foster child attachment security.

Keywords:
Attachment securityexternalizing behaviorfoster childrenparental hostilitysensitivity

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