Guided by a life course perspective, attachment theory, and gender theory, this study aims to examine the impact of death of a father, a mother, or both parents, as well as continuously living with one or both parents dead (in contrast to having two parents alive) on multiple dimensions of psychological well-being (depressive symptoms, happiness,…

Investigates the possible relationships among the variables of infant's temperament, mother's mode of interaction, and the quality of the subsequent mother-infant attachment. (Author/NH)

The findings of differential maternal treatment of siblings in current research are often confounded by the fact that at the time of assessment the two siblings were of different ages. This prospective study examined concordance of siblings' attachment quality to their shared mother. Participating were 106 families and their 12 to 15 month olds.…

Investigates the relation between 48 mothers' perceptions of control over the termination of their 5-month-old infants' cries and the infant's security attachment at 16 months. Insecure infant attachment was associated with maternal perception of overcontrol. (RJC)

Investigated the relation of perinatal risk status to dimensions of the attachment relationships of 60 infants with their parents. The results showed no evidence that preterm or full-term status influenced infants' attachment relationships with either mothers or fathers. (RJC)

Thirty-eight mothers completed questionnaires that assessed their attachment to their infant, stress level, and infant's temperament. Mothers were also observed interacting with their infant at six weeks and again at nine months. Found that stressed mothers felt less attached to their infant at six months than nonstressed mothers, and mothers of…

Face-to-face interaction between 26 infants and their mothers and a relatively unfamiliar figure was observed longitudinally in the home environment when the infants were between 6 and 15 weeks of age. Normative findings indicated that infants became more responsive over this time period, whereas maternal behavior did not change. (Author/JMB)

Compares maltreated and nonmaltreated infants and their caregivers with regard to security and quality of the attachment relationship over time. The finding that a greater proportion of maltreated infants in each of three age groups was insecurely attached is in accordance with the predictions based on Ainsworth's and Bowlby's attachment theory.…

Children with secure attachments at 12 and 18 months of age were found to be more empathic and prosocial toward others as preschoolers. (PCB)

Examined changes over three annual assessments of perceptions of gay and lesbian couples on current levels of attachment, autonomy, and equality in the relationship; the importance of these factors in an ideal relationship; and relationship commitment. Changes in relationship commitment over time were explained by changes in the discrepancy…

The stability of adult attachment and transmission of attachment across 3 generations were examined in a longitudinal study of 96 infants, their mothers, and maternal grandmothers. The study found that mothers' Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) classifications were stable over 12 months in 90% of mothers and 73% of grandmothers, using the AAI's…

This E.D. TAB is the first report produced using data from the second round of data collection for the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), a study of a nationally representative sample of children born in the year 2001. The report provides descriptive information about these children when they were about 2 years old. It…

Background: Empirical studies have revealed a significant, but modest association between maternal depression and insecure mother-child attachment. Across studies, however, a substantial number of mothers with depression are able to provide a sensitive caretaking environment for their children. This paper aimed to explore whether a mother's own…

The study explores the role of working models of attachment in the process of coping with relationship stressors with a focus on long-term adaptation. In a 7-year longitudinal study of 112 participants, stress and coping were assessed during adolescence and emerging adulthood. In addition, working models of attachment were assessed by employing…

Presents two bodies of research relevant to the question of intergenerational continuity of attachment quality: studies documenting the effects of separation or disruption in the family of origin, and studies in which parents reported on their childhood attachments. Interprets this research within a theoretical perspective derived from the works…