Related Experiment Videos
Infant day-care, attachment, and the "file drawer problem"
L A Roggman1, J H Langlois, L Hubbs-Tait
1Department of Family and Human Development, Utah State University, Logan 84322-2905.
Child Development
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Replication studies on infant day-care and attachment are crucial. This study found no consistent effects, suggesting day-care center attendance does not definitively impact infant attachment security.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Development
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- The existing literature on infant day-care and attachment may be influenced by publication bias, as unpublished studies showing null results are often unavailable.
- Replication studies are vital for confirming or refuting previous findings and clarifying the complex relationship between early childcare experiences and infant attachment security.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate previous research suggesting that infants attending day-care are at higher risk for insecure attachment.
- To investigate the association between different types of day-care (full-time vs. part-time) and infant attachment security in a sample of 12-month-olds.
Main Methods:
- A replication study involving 105 infants at 12 months of age.
- Analysis of attachment outcomes in relation to varying levels of day-care exposure (full-time, part-time, and no day-care).
- Examination of methodological factors, including specific measures, definitions of part-time/full-time care, and statistical approaches.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant or consistently robust effects of day-care on infant attachment security were found in this replication attempt.
- A non-significant trend indicated a potential association between less day-care (little or part-time) and more negative attachment outcomes compared to full-time day-care.
- Study outcomes were sensitive to variations in measurement tools, definitions of care, and statistical analyses employed.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not consistently support the hypothesis that infant day-care increases the risk of insecure attachment.
- Methodological variations in research design significantly influence the outcomes of studies examining the day-care and attachment link.
- Further rigorous replication studies are needed to establish a clearer understanding of the relationship between early childcare and infant attachment.