Disoriented, punitive, and caregiving/role-confused attachment behaviors are associated with psychopathology in childhood, but have not been assessed in adolescence. A total of 120 low-income late adolescents (aged 18-23 years) and parents were assessed in a conflict-resolution paradigm. Their interactions were coded with the Goal-Corrected…

Examined impact of parental intervention on the quality of conflict behavior in 2- and 4-year olds. Found that parents intervened in fights in which children displayed few de-escalating strategies. Intervention was associated with children using fewer power strategies coupled with an increase in more sophisticated negotiation moves. Results…

This 6-month prospective study examined how differences in the frequency and nature of early mother-toddler conflict at 30 months related to individual differences in children's socioemotional development at 36 months. Findings indicated that mothers' use of justification, resolution, and mitigation in conflict at 30 months during laboratory tasks…

Found that secure-secure dyads were more harmonious, less controlling, and more responsive than secure-insecure dyads. There were no differences between secure-secure and secure-insecure dyads on measures of coordinated play, cohesiveness, self-disclosure, or play tempo. (RH)

Age and sex differences in children's beliefs about strategies for reducing parental anger were assessed. The central question was whether direct intervention strategies are effective in lessening parental anger and reflect an advanced understanding of emotion regulation. Results showed no simple linear age increase in the belief that direct…

Examined the influence of mitigating circumstances on parents' beliefs and intervention behaviors regarding sibling physical aggression. Subjects were 40 Caucasian families. Results indicated that, although parents considered sibling physical aggression to be a serious transgression, they believed that mitigated aggression of both of their…