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Egmose I, Steenhoff T, Tharner A, Væver MS. Parental reflective functioning in mothers and fathers of preschoolers: Associations with adult attachment and parenting behavior. Scand J Psychol 2024; 65:747-757. [PMID: 38581691 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.13020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Parental reflective functioning (PRF) is considered a key parental competence. Since most research on PRF has focused on infancy or the first years of life, there is a gap in our understanding of PRF among parents of older children. Therefore, we investigated PRF in mothers and fathers with preschool-aged children, examining associations between PRF, parent's romantic attachment, and observed parenting behavior. The sample comprised 50 mothers, 40 fathers, and their 5-year-old children. PRF was assessed using the parental reflective functioning questionnaire (PRFQ), parental romantic attachment was assessed using the experiences in close relationships scale-revised (ECR-R), and parenting behavior was assessed during a parent-child free-play interaction with the coding interactive behavior (CIB) coding system. Results showed that mothers scored higher on the interest and curiosity scale than fathers, indicating that mothers show a more active interest and curiosity in their child's mental states. Further, higher levels of attachment anxiety in fathers were associated with higher levels of pre-mentalizing modes. In mothers, higher levels of attachment avoidance were associated with lower levels of interest and curiosity. Finally, and unexpectedly, higher levels of interest and curiosity in mothers were associated with less sensitivity during free play. In summary, the study found meaningful associations between mothers' and fathers' romantic attachment and their PRF indicating a spill-over of their attachment strategies into their relationship with their child. Further, the study results suggest that very high levels of interest and curiosity in mothers reflect hypermentalizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Egmose
- Centre for Early Intervention and Family Studies, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tine Steenhoff
- Centre for Early Intervention and Family Studies, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Tharner
- Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mette Skovgaard Væver
- Centre for Early Intervention and Family Studies, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Zhou H, Zhu R, Xia Y, Zhang X, Wang Z, Lorimer GH, Ghiladi RA, Bayram H, Wang J. Neuropeptides affecting social behavior in mammals: Oxytocin. Peptides 2024; 177:171223. [PMID: 38626843 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide consisting of only nine amino acids, is synthesized in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus. Although OXT is best known for its role in lactation and parturition, recent research has shown that it also has a significant impact on social behaviors in mammals. However, a comprehensive review of this topic is still lacking. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the effects of OXT on social behavior in mammals. These effects of OXT from the perspective of five key behavioral dimensions were summarized: parental behavior, anxiety, aggression, attachment, and empathy. To date, researchers have agreed that OXT plays a positive regulatory role in a wide range of social behaviors, but there have been controversially reported results. In this review, we have provided a detailed panorama of the role of OXT in social behavior and, for the first time, delved into the underlying regulatory mechanisms, which may help better understand the multifaceted role of OXT. Levels of OXT in previous human studies were also summarized to provide insights for diagnosis of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhou
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; International Center for Redox Biology & Precision Medicine of Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; International Center for Redox Biology & Precision Medicine of Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China
| | - Yuqing Xia
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; International Center for Redox Biology & Precision Medicine of Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China
| | - Xinming Zhang
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; International Center for Redox Biology & Precision Medicine of Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China
| | - Zixu Wang
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China
| | | | - Reza A Ghiladi
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Hasan Bayram
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Jun Wang
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; International Center for Redox Biology & Precision Medicine of Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China; National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China.
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Labella MH, Raby KL, Bourne SV, Trahan AC, Katz D, Dozier M. Is Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up effective for parents with insecure attachment states of mind? Child Dev 2024; 95:648-655. [PMID: 37603609 PMCID: PMC10879447 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Prior research suggests that attachment-based interventions, including Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), may be less effective at enhancing parenting quality among parents who self-report having an insecure attachment style. The current study tested whether effects of ABC on parental behavior were moderated by categorical and dimensional measures of attachment obtained via Adult Attachment Interviews with 454 parents who were approximately 34 years old, primarily female, and predominantly White or African American. Parents randomized to ABC exhibited higher sensitivity and positive regard, and lower intrusiveness shortly after the intervention than parents randomized to the control intervention (|β|s = .10-.27). The effect of ABC on intrusiveness persisted 2 years later. Effects at either timepoint were not significantly moderated by parents' attachment representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelyn H Labella
- Department of Psychological Sciences, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
| | - K Lee Raby
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Stacia V Bourne
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Alec C Trahan
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Danielle Katz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Mary Dozier
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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Rhodes CA, Wolchik SA, Uhlman RN, O'Hara KL, Sandler IN, Tein JY, Porter MM. Effects of a preventive parenting intervention for bereaved families on the intergenerational transmission of parenting attitudes: Mediating processes. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:2482-2498. [PMID: 37559382 PMCID: PMC10947508 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated whether the Family Bereavement Program (FBP), a prevention program for parentally bereaved families, improved parenting attitudes toward parental warmth and physical punishment in young adult offspring 15 years after participation and identified mediational cascade pathways. One hundred fifty-six parents and their 244 offspring participated. Data were collected at pretest (ages 8-16), posttest, and six- and 15-year follow-ups. Ethnicity of offspring was: 67% non-Hispanic Caucasian, 16% Hispanic, 7% African American, 3% Native American, 1% Asian or Pacific Islander, and 6% other; 54% were males. There was a direct effect of the FBP on attitudes toward physical punishment; offspring in the FBP had less favorable attitudes toward physical punishment. There were also indirect effects of the FBP on parenting attitudes. The results supported a cascade effects model in which intervention-induced improvements in parental warmth led to fewer externalizing problems in adolescence/emerging adulthood, which in turn led to less favorable attitudes toward physical punishment. In addition, intervention-induced improvements in parental warmth led to improvements in anxious romantic attachment in mid-to-late adolescence/emerging adulthood, which led to more favorable attitudes toward parental warmth in emerging/young adulthood. These findings suggest that the effects of relatively brief prevention programs may persist into subsequent generations.
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Cao H, Zhou N, Leerkes EM. Primiparous mothers' parenting self-efficacy in managing toddler distress: Childhood nonsupportive emotion socialization, adult attachment style, and toddler temperament as antecedents. Emotion 2023; 23:2205-2218. [PMID: 36931841 PMCID: PMC10504413 DOI: 10.1037/emo0001233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Early maternal sensitivity to child distress is predictive of child subsequent social-emotional adjustment. A mother's global parenting self-efficacy shapes her adaptive responses to child challenging behaviors (e.g., negative emotions). However, little is known about the antecedents of maternal self-efficacy in managing child distress. Using longitudinal data from a diverse sample of 259 primiparous mothers and their toddlers, we tested a model predicting maternal self-efficacy in managing toddler distress. Mothers' remembered childhood experiences of maternal nonsupportive emotional socialization were positively associated with their self-reports of attachment avoidance and anxiety. Furthermore, a negative link between mothers' self-reports of attachment avoidance and their self-efficacy in managing toddler distress was identified when toddlers displayed higher negative affect. Most importantly, a conditional indirect pathway was found. That is, only when toddlers displayed higher negative affect, mothers' remembered early experiences of maternal nonsupportive emotional socialization were negatively associated with their self-efficacy in managing toddler distress through a positive association with their self-reports of attachment avoidance. Although maternal attachment assessed with Adult Attachment Interview was also included in analyses as a parallel mediator to self-reported attachment, no relevant effects emerged. These results suggest that by disrupting attachment development, parents' early emotion socialization experiences hold long-standing implications for their subsequent confidence in managing child distress. Child distress as a threatening, attachment-related stimulus may contextualize such effects via interfering with the operation of caregiving system, especially for avoidant parents. Such findings may inform the designs of more targeted interventions to assist first-time mothers in navigating emotionally evocative challenges during toddlerhood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Cao
- Applied Psychology Program, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), China
| | - Nan Zhou
- Faculty of Education, University of Macau, China
| | - Esther M. Leerkes
- Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
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Sandnes K, Kårstad SB, Lydersen S, Berg-Nielsen TS. Are changes in mothers' representations of their infants related to changes in observed mother-infant interaction quality? Infant Behav Dev 2023; 73:101896. [PMID: 37866286 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Infant mental health clinicians aiming to improve mother-infant dyads at risk typically target mothers' representations of their infant or mother-infant interactions, assuming that one port of entry leads to change in the other. However, little is known about the relation between changes in mothers' representations and in mother-infant interactions. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate this in a low- to moderate-risk community sample of 152 mothers (M = 29.7 years) of infants aged 0-2 years (M = 11.5 months) recruited from rural and urban cities in Norway. The mothers' representations were measured using the Working Model of the Child Interview, and the quality of the mother-infant interactions was measured with the Emotional Availability Scales. We found no evidence of a relation between mothers' changed representations and changed quality of mother-infant interactions. Several explanations concerning the low-risk status of the sample, the observation situation, the time between assessment points, and the homogeneous scores from the instruments used are discussed, as are the implications for clinical practice and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjersti Sandnes
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare (RKBU Mid-Norway), Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Silja B Kårstad
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare (RKBU Mid-Norway), Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Stian Lydersen
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare (RKBU Mid-Norway), Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Turid Suzanne Berg-Nielsen
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare (RKBU Mid-Norway), Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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Shibata M, Hosoi M, Anno K, Hirabayashi N, Hirakawa Y, Kawata H, Iwaki R, Sawamoto R, Sudo N, Ninomiya T. Inadequate care and excessive overprotection during childhood are associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus in adulthood in a general Japanese population: a cross-sectional analysis from the Hisayama Study. BMC Endocr Disord 2023; 23:222. [PMID: 37821847 PMCID: PMC10568832 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-023-01474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate associations between parenting styles during childhood and diabetes in adulthood in a Japanese community. METHODS In 2011, 710 community-dwelling Japanese residents aged ≥ 40 years were assessed for the presence of diabetes and for their perceptions of the parenting style of their parents, as measured using the "care" and "overprotection" scales of the Parental Bonding Instrument. Care and overprotection scores for each parent were dichotomized by age-specific median values. Diabetes mellitus was defined as a fasting plasma glucose level of ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, a 2-h post-loaded glucose level of ≥ 11.1 mmol/L, HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, and/or the current use of insulin or oral glucose-lowering agents. The odds ratios (ORs) for prevalent diabetes were calculated using a logistic regression model. RESULTS The prevalence of diabetes was 14.9%. Subjects with a high paternal overprotection score had a significantly greater likelihood of prevalent diabetes than those with a low paternal overprotection score after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.77), while there was no significant association between paternal care and diabetes. Additionally, the multivariable-adjusted ORs for the presence of diabetes were significantly higher in subjects with a low maternal care score (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.00-2.60) or in subjects with a high maternal overprotection score (OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.08-2.80). Moreover, the subjects with a low care score and high overprotection score for both their father and mother had a significantly higher multivariable-adjusted OR of diabetes than those with a high care score and low overprotection score for both parents (OR 2,12, 95%CI 1.14-3.95). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that inadequate care and excessive overprotection during childhood may contribute to the development of diabetes in adulthood.
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Grants
- JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP19H03752, JP19H03752, JP21H03200, JP21K07522, JP21K11725, JP21K10448, JP22K07421, JP22K17396, JP23K09692, JP23K09717, JP23K16330, JP23K06787, and JP23K09060 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
- JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP19H03752, JP19H03752, JP21H03200, JP21K07522, JP21K11725, JP21K10448, JP22K07421, JP22K17396, JP23K09692, JP23K09717, JP23K16330, JP23K06787, and JP23K09060 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
- JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP19H03752, JP19H03752, JP21H03200, JP21K07522, JP21K11725, JP21K10448, JP22K07421, JP22K17396, JP23K09692, JP23K09717, JP23K16330, JP23K06787, and JP23K09060 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
- JPMH23FA1006, and JPMH23FA1022 Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan
- JP23dk0207053, JP23km0405209 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Shibata
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
- Division of Research Management, Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Masako Hosoi
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kozo Anno
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Naoki Hirabayashi
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Hirakawa
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawata
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Rie Iwaki
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryoko Sawamoto
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Sudo
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Toshiharu Ninomiya
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Division of Research Management, Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Vagos P, Mateus V, Silva J, Araújo V, Xavier A, Palmeira L. Mother-infant bonding in the first nine months postpartum: the role of mother's attachment style and psychological flexibility. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37525320 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2242379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mother's bond to the infant in the postpartum period plays an important role in the subsequent mother-infant relationship and the infant's socio-emotional functioning. Several maternal characteristics, such as attachment style and psychological flexibility, may contribute to the quality of mother-infant bonding, though literature examining these variables is still scarce. The present study aimed to examine the impact of mother's attachment on mother-infant bonding in the first month postpartum and the mediating role of psychological flexibility on that association. METHODS Participants were 226 mothers of an infant up to 9 months old, who reported on their own attachment style (in terms of anxiety, comfort with proximity, trust in others), psychological flexibility (in terms of openness to experience, behavioural awareness, valued action) and mother-infant bonding. RESULTS Results showed that mother's attachment anxiety predicted a bond with the infant directly and indirectly via mother's psychological flexibility, specifically through behavioural awareness and valued action. Trust in others had an impact on mother-infant bonding through behavioural awareness, whereas comfort with proximity influenced mother-infant bond indirectly, via valued action. Finally, mothers' civil status, schooling and number of children were relevant to better understand the variance of our mediating and dependent variables. DISCUSSION Our findings highlight the importance of mother's attachment and psychological flexibility in promoting the quality of mother-infant bonding, which can inform future intervention programmes targeting modifiable factors, such as psychological flexibility, to promote early positive parent-infant relationships, particularly for single, first-time mothers, with higher levels of education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Vagos
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
- William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vera Mateus
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Silva
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vânia Araújo
- Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Xavier
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lara Palmeira
- Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Department of Psychology and Education, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Svendsrud H, Fredriksen E, Moe V, Smith L, Tsotsi S, Ullebø AK, Brean GV, Kaasen A, Bekkhus M. Becoming Dad: Expectant Fathers' Attachment Style and Prenatal Representations of the Unborn Child. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1187. [PMID: 37508684 PMCID: PMC10377903 DOI: 10.3390/children10071187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
How expectant fathers think and feel about the unborn child (prenatal representations), has shown associations with fathers' postnatal parenting behaviors, observed father-infant interactional quality and child cognitive development. There is limited knowledge about fathers' prenatal representations. The present study examined if fathers' partner-related attachment styles were related to their prenatal representations of the unborn child. In the "Little in Norway Study", an ongoing prospective, longitudinal population-based study, 396 expectant fathers completed the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale at enrollment (mean gestational week = 23.76, SD = 4.93), and in gestational weeks 27-35 completed three questions assessing prenatal representations. Correlations of attachment style and prenatal representations were reported using logistic regression analyses. We found that an avoidant attachment style by fathers were predicted to have absent or negative representations on all three items (1) "strongest feeling about the unborn child" (Cl = 1.19-2.73), (2) "thoughts about child personality" (Cl = 1.16-1.87), and (3) "experiences of relationship with the child" (Cl = 1.14-1.75). Father anxious attachment style was not significantly associated with absent or negative prenatal representations. Results suggest that expectant fathers with a partner related avoidant attachment style have an increased risk of having absent or negative prenatal representations of the unborn child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedvig Svendsrud
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 0373 Oslo, Norway
- Vestfold Hospital Trust, 3103 Tønsberg, Norway
| | | | - Vibeke Moe
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 0373 Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 0373 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stella Tsotsi
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 0373 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Gro Vatne Brean
- Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Southern and Eastern Norway, 0484 Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Kaasen
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mona Bekkhus
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 0373 Oslo, Norway
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Łada-Maśko AB, Kaźmierczak M. Dyadic approach to maturity to parenthood: multilevel study on attachment in expectant and non-expectant couples. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37366347 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2230592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined links between attachment styles and maturity to parenthood and its dimensions across different age groups of childless young adult couples. The role of developmental factors (age, assuming parental role) for maturity to parenthood was also investigated. BACKGROUND Relational and individual factors have both been confirmed to be crucial for the transition to parenthood. The concept of maturity to parenthood has been linked to individual values, personality traits, and close relationships. However, the question arises whether maturity to parenthood is related to one of the most crucial concepts in family psychology - attachment. METHOD Three hundred heterosexual young adult couples aged 20-35 years (Mage = 26.20; SD = 3.63) took part. Couples were divided into three groups: 1) 110 couples aged 20-25 (emerging adulthood); 2) 90 couples aged 26-35 (young adulthood); and 3) 100 couples aged 20-35 expecting their first child (third trimester of pregnancy). The main questionnaires used were the Maturity to Parenthood Scale and Close Relationship Experience Scale. RESULTS The results indicated that the more avoidant couples had lower maturity to parenthood. A moderation effect of group (pregnancy) was also observed - the effect of attachment-related avoidance was weaker in expectant couples. Women presented higher overall and behavioural maturity to parenthood than men. Furthermore, higher life satisfaction were associated with greater maturity to parenthood. CONCLUSION Maturity to parenthood is also created in the dyadic context. When related to lower attachment avoidance, it might greatly facilitate transition to parenthood and future parent - child relations.
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Tumasian RA, Galfalvy HC, Enslow MR, Brent DA, Melhem N, Burke AK, Mann JJ, Grunebaum MF. Avoidant attachment transmission to offspring in families with a depressed parent. J Affect Disord 2023; 325:695-700. [PMID: 36681306 PMCID: PMC9911374 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insecure attachment is associated with mental health morbidity. We explored associations between parent and offspring attachment style in a longitudinal study of families with a depressed parent. METHODS Parents (N = 169) with a DSM-IV mood disorder and their adult offspring (N = 267), completed the Adult Attachment Questionnaire at one or more time points during up to 9.7 years of follow-up. Linear mixed effects models explored associations between parent and offspring anxious and avoidant attachment scores. Residualized models accounted for parent and offspring depression severity. RESULTS Avoidant attachment scores were associated between parents and offspring with (p = .034) and without (p = .012) adjustment for baseline age and sex of parent and offspring. Depressed father-offspring relationships showed more avoidant attachment in offspring compared to depressed mother-offspring pairs (p = .010). After accounting for depression severity, parent average residualized avoidant attachment scores did not significantly correlate with those of offspring (unadjusted p = .052; adjusted p = .085), though the effect sizes did not change substantially, and 75 % of the correlation was retained. Parent-son relationships exhibited stronger avoidant attachment correlations compared to parent-daughter pairs (p = .048). LIMITATIONS Small sub-sample of fathers, parent and offspring assessments not always completed at the same time, and use of a self-report attachment style instrument. CONCLUSIONS Familial transmission of insecure avoidant attachment, a risk factor for negative mental health outcomes, merits research as a potential treatment target. In this preliminary study, its transmission to offspring seemed mostly independent of depression. Depressed fathers and their sons may deserve focus to reduce insecure avoidant attachment and improve clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Tumasian
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Hanga C Galfalvy
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Meghan R Enslow
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - David A Brent
- Department of Psychiatry, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Nadine Melhem
- Department of Psychiatry, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Ainsley K Burke
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Michael F Grunebaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States of America.
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Validation of Self-Reported Attachment Classification Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Parents of Young Children. Nurs Res 2023; 72:150-157. [PMID: 36729697 DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) was developed to measure individual differences in insecure adult attachment and was suitable for populations that may have minimal or no experience in romantic relationships. The measure was previously validated on homogenous populations. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to verify construct validity and internal consistency of the ASQ among an ethnically and racially diverse sample of caregivers of young children ages birth to 3 years. METHODS Using a cross-sectional design, we examined the psychometric properties of the ASQ. A racially and ethnically diverse sample of caregivers of young children (birth to 3 years old) completed the 40-item measure. Factor analyses and internal consistency analyses were conducted. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the previously published factor structures were not a good fit for this diverse sample. Exploratory factor analysis with promax rotation revealed a four-factor solution among 16 items, including relationship anxiety, relationships as secondary, discomfort with closeness, and relationship distrust. Adequate internal consistency was noted for the factors, and structural invariance was confirmed across Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnicities. DISCUSSION Nurse scientists and practitioners should take caution when using or developing indices based on previous research. There should be consideration of structural stability and replication across the intended population.
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13
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Gross JT, Stern JA, Brett BE, Fitter MH, Cassidy J. Mothers' Attachment Style Predicts Response to Child Distress: The Role of Maternal Emotions and Attributions. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2023; 32:876-891. [PMID: 37859978 PMCID: PMC10586594 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-022-02517-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
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14
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Rasmussen IS, Wilson P, Overbeck G, Strandberg-Larsen K. Association of self-reported mother-infant relationship with child and adolescent mental health. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e39. [PMID: 36804106 PMCID: PMC9970168 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The quality of the relationship between mother and infant may have profound implications for the development of a child. Early indicators of psychological vulnerability may allow targeting of support for the child's cognitive, emotional and social development. A challenging mother-infant relationship could be one indicator of risk. AIMS This study examined variations in psychological well-being and psychopathology among boys and girls according to early maternal perception of the mother-infant relationship. METHOD This study is based on 64 663 mother-infant pairs from the Danish National Birth Cohort, for which data on the mother-infant relationship were collected at 6 months postpartum. Behavioural problems were assessed with the Danish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at child ages 7, 11 and 18 years, and we retrieved information on diagnosed childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders and prescriptions of psychotropic drugs from Danish registries. RESULTS Children in the challenging mother-infant relationship group had higher odds of behavioural problems at age 7 among both boys and girls. The same pattern of elevated estimates was identified for boys across all SDQ domains and for girls in three of five SDQ domains. All associations were attenuated at age 18, but increased odds of behavioural problems still existed. A challenging early mother-infant relationship increased the offspring's risk of being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder or being prescribed a psychotropic drug before the age of 18. CONCLUSION A challenging self-reported mother-infant relationship was associated with later psychopathological difficulties. Routine clinical enquiry may be useful in identification of future vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Scheel Rasmussen
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philip Wilson
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; and Centre for Rural Health, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Gritt Overbeck
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Brubaker L, Udell MAR. Does Pet Parenting Style predict the social and problem-solving behavior of pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)? Anim Cogn 2023; 26:345-356. [PMID: 36175745 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01694-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The behavior and cognition of pet domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) has drawn increasing scientific attention over the last several decades. One area of focus has been the influence of lifetime variables, including the home environment and prior experiences, on the social and problem-solving behavior of dogs. While the human-dog relationship has become an important area of study, only a few studies have empirically investigated how the quality of that relationship may influence a dog's performance on behavioral or cognitive tasks. In the current study, we asked if a human caretaker's self-reported expectations and patterns of responding towards their dog (Pet Parenting Style) would predict the dog's social and problem-solving behavior. Owners who had previously been asked to complete a Pet Parenting Style survey were later invited to have their dogs participate in three behavioral tests: The Secure Base Test, a Sociability Test and the Solvable Task. Consistent with the human development literature, results indicated that Pet Parenting Styles did predict patterns of dog behavior and cognition on these tests. On average, dogs with authoritative owners (high expectations, high responsiveness) had the highest rate of secure attachment, were highly social, sensitive to social context and were more persistent and successful on the problem-solving task than dogs with authoritarian owners (high expectations and low responsiveness) and permissive owners (low expectations, low responsiveness). These findings suggest that the quality and style of individual dog-human relationships, including Pet Parenting Style, may be relevant when evaluating and interpreting outcomes of canine cognition research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Brubaker
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, 112 Withycombe Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Monique A R Udell
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, 112 Withycombe Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
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16
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Lindblom J, Bosmans G. Attachment and brooding rumination during children's transition to adolescence: the moderating role of effortful control. Attach Hum Dev 2022; 24:690-711. [PMID: 35536544 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2022.2071953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Brooding rumination is a maladaptive form of emotion regulation and confers a risk for psychopathology. Insecure attachment and low cognitive self-regulation are important antecedents of brooding. Yet, little is known about the developmental interplay between these two systems. Thus, we tested how children's attachment and cognitive self-regulation, conceptualized as effortful control (EC), interact to predict brooding. The participants in the three-wave longitudinal study were n = 157 children (10 to 14 years) and their mothers. Children reported their attachment and brooding, and mothers reported children's EC. Results showed that children with low avoidance received benefit from high EC to decrease brooding, whereas children with high anxiety brooded irrespective of EC. Thus, high EC may foster constructive emotion regulation among securely attached children, whereas the beneficial effects of high EC on emotional functioning seem to be overridden by insecurity. The functional role of cognitive self-regulation on different attachment strategies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jallu Lindblom
- Clinical Psychology,KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Guy Bosmans
- Clinical Psychology,KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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17
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Međedović J, Anđelković A, Lukić J. Fitness Costs of Insecure Romantic Attachment: The Role of Reproductive Motivation and Long-Term Mating. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 20:14747049221146433. [PMID: 36567506 PMCID: PMC10496105 DOI: 10.1177/14747049221146433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Attachment styles are frequently viewed from within the evolutionary conceptual framework; however, their associations with evolutionary fitness are very rarely empirically explored. In the present research (N = 448), we analyzed the relations between romantic attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and various fitness indicators in Serbian adults: matting patterns (short and long-term mating), reproductive motivation, reproductive success (age of first birth, number of children, and grandchildren), and kin care (care for biological relatives in general and care for children). Congruent negative associations between insecure styles and fitness outcomes were found: this is particularly true for avoidance, which is negatively related to long-term mating, reproductive motivation, number of children, and kin care. Furthermore, the data showed that reproductive motivation and long-term mating may mediate the links between avoidance and the number of children. Anxiety was negatively related to reproductive motivation and the number of children; this attachment style was also negatively associated with care for children, but only in males. The present data suggest that secure romantic bonding may be evolutionary adaptive; the obtained results contradict some evolutionary theories that assume that insecure attachment has some adaptive benefits as well. Findings provide new insights into the role of romantic attachment in the behavioral ecology of pair bonding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janko Međedović
- Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Anđelković
- Faculty of Media and Communication, Department of Psychology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovana Lukić
- Faculty of Media and Communication, Department of Psychology, Belgrade, Serbia
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18
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Shiraishi N, Murakami M, Goto Y, Kitamura T. Intergenerational transmission of child-rearing styles mediated by adult attachment: A structural equation model approach. PCN REPORTS : PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES 2022; 1:e22. [PMID: 38868686 PMCID: PMC11114271 DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Aim Parenting styles are determinants of psychosocial maladjustment in the subsequent generation. Modifiable factors that positively impact intergenerational transmission should be identified. Thus, this study investigated the mediating effects of adult attachment on the transmission of child-rearing styles and the combined impact of fathers' and mothers' styles on their offspring's parenting. Methods Overall, 396 fathers and 733 mothers participated. They were married or cohabiting when their children aged 0-10 years attended a pediatric office in Japan. The pediatricians distributed the self-report questionnaires to examine perceived rearing (the Parental Bonding Instrument), adult attachment (the Relationship Questionnaire), and demographic characteristics. We then analyzed the data using structural equation modeling that illustrated intergenerational transmission of rearing styles between grandparents and parents. Results Overall, 385 fathers (M age = 35.5 years, SD = 6.0) and 699 mothers (M age = 33.5 years, SD = 5.1) satisfied the eligibility criteria. The path models showed that adult attachment to partners mediated grandparental and parental care. However, no mediating effect was observed in other intergenerational patterns that transmitted overprotective rearing styles. Additionally, combined grandfather and grandmother care were positively associated with parental overprotection. Conclusion This study suggested the potential of adult attachment in mediating loving, empathic, and warm rearing styles and the combined effects of both parents' styles on promoting the next-generation parents' overprotective styles. Our findings clarify how to terminate the negative chain of the parent-child transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Shiraishi
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive‐Behavioral MedicineNagoya City University Graduate School of Medical SciencesNagoyaJapan
| | | | | | - Toshinori Kitamura
- Kitamura Institute of Mental Health TokyoInstitute of Mental Health TokyoTokyoJapan
- Kitamura KOKORO Clinic Mental HealthTokyoJapan
- T. and F. Kitamura Foundation for Mental Health Research and Skill AdvancementTokyoJapan
- Department of PsychiatryGraduate School of Medicine, Nagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
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19
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Chasson M, Taubman-Ben-Ari O. The Maternal Disintegrative Responses Scale (MDRS) and its associations with attachment orientation and childhood trauma. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 131:105693. [PMID: 35689990 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Maternal Disintegrative Responses Scale (MDRS), which examines intrusive thoughts and dissociative experiences among mothers in the postpartum period, has recently been developed and initially validated. OBJECTIVE In this series of two studies, we sought to further examine the validity and psychometric properties of the MDRS by confirming its factor structure and investigating its associations with insecure attachment and childhood trauma. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Two convenience samples were recruited through social media. Participants in Study 1 consisted of 249 women aged 19 to 43 (M = 30.10, SD = 4.90) whose infants were up to 12 months old. Participants in Study 2 consisted of 637 women aged 20 to 46 (M = 31.43, SD = 4.81) whose infants were up to 16 weeks old. METHOD The participants completed a set of self-report questionnaires. In Study 1 we assessed trait anxiety, attachment orientation, the MDRS, and a background inventory. In Study 2 we assessed psychological distress, childhood trauma, the MDRS, and a background inventory. RESULTS In both studies, the factor structure of the MDRS was confirmed. In addition, insecure attachment and childhood trauma were both related to the MDRS factors, above and beyond the woman's background characteristics and current level of anxiety or distress. CONCLUSIONS The studies indicate the value of the MDRS as a promising, valid, and theory-based questionnaire for mothers following childbirth.
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20
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An D, Kochanska G. Mothers' and fathers' attachment styles and power-assertive control: Indirect associations through parental representations. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY : JFP : JOURNAL OF THE DIVISION OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (DIVISION 43) 2022; 36:975-985. [PMID: 34694837 PMCID: PMC9842511 DOI: 10.1037/fam0000930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Research on adults' self-reported attachment styles, investigated mostly in social and personality psychology, has rarely been bridged with research on parenting, studied mostly in developmental psychology. We proposed that parents' attachment insecurity (avoidance and anxiety) has an indirect association with their power-assertive control, mediated through their negative representations, or internal working models (IWM) of the child. In 200 community families from a Midwestern state (mothers, fathers, and children), we collected multimethod, parallel data for mother-child and father-child relationships. When children were infants, parents completed self-reports of their own attachment styles. When children were toddlers, we assessed parents' IWMs of the child in an interview and observed parental power-assertive control in structured, naturalistic discipline contexts in the laboratory. Mothers' avoidance showed a unique association with their IWM of their child. Consequently, there was an indirect association from the mother's avoidance to negative IWM to power-assertive control. Mothers' anxiety was associated directly with more power-assertive control. Fathers' avoidance and anxiety were also associated with their IWMs, but there were no unique associations, and the impact on parenting was limited. Forging a rapprochement between social and personality research on adults' attachment and developmental research on parenting, this work elucidates a potential mechanism of the intergenerational transmission of adaptive and maladaptive parenting in families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Danming An
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
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21
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Tognasso G, Gorla L, Ambrosini C, Figurella F, De Carli P, Parolin L, Sarracino D, Santona A. Parenting Stress, Maternal Self-Efficacy and Confidence in Caretaking in a Sample of Mothers with Newborns (0-1 Month). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9651. [PMID: 35955005 PMCID: PMC9368401 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A mother's responses to her newborn and her confidence in the child's caretaking depend on her attachment security, general parental stress, and perceived self-efficacy. However, few studies have analyzed maternal confidence in caretaking and how it is influenced by some mothers' characteristics. We aimed to examine the association between maternal adult attachment and confidence in a child's caretaking and to understand whether this relationship was mediated by parenting stress and maternal self-efficacy. The sample consisted of 96 mothers with a mean age of 33 years with newborn children aged between 3 and 30 days. The instruments used were the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), the Mother and Baby Scale (MABS), the Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI-SF), and the Maternal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (MEQ). The results showed a positive association between attachment avoidance and lack of confidence in caretaking, and this association was mediated by parenting stress. Conversely, attachment anxiety appeared not to influence confidence in caretaking, and maternal self-efficacy did not appear to mediate the relationship between attachment and confidence in the caretaking of infants. Our results could guide new research in studying confidence in caretaking and enable healthcare professionals to recognize at-risk situations early from the first month after childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Tognasso
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Gorla
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Carolina Ambrosini
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Federica Figurella
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Pietro De Carli
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Parolin
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Diego Sarracino
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Santona
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
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22
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Buchheim A, Ziegenhain U, Kindler H, Waller C, Gündel H, Karabatsiakis A, Fegert J. Identifying Risk and Resilience Factors in the Intergenerational Cycle of Maltreatment: Results From the TRANS-GEN Study Investigating the Effects of Maternal Attachment and Social Support on Child Attachment and Cardiovascular Stress Physiology. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:890262. [PMID: 35923749 PMCID: PMC9341217 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.890262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a developmental risk factor and can negatively influence later psychological functioning, health, and development in the next generation. A comprehensive understanding of the biopsychosocial underpinnings of CM transmission would allow to identify protective factors that could disrupt the intergenerational CM risk cycle. This study examined the consequences of maternal CM and the effects of psychosocial and biological resilience factors on child attachment and stress-regulatory development using a prospective trans-disciplinary approach. Methods Mother-child dyads (N = 158) participated shortly after parturition (t 0), after 3 months (t 1), and 12 months later (t 2). Mothers' CM experiences were assessed at t 0, attachment representation at t 1 and psychosocial risk and social support were assessed at t 1 and t 2. At t 2, dyads participated in the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP). Children's attachmen status were classified as organized vs. disorganized, including their level of disorganized behavior, and heart rate (HR) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were recorded as stress response measures of the autonomic nervous system. Maternal caregiving during SSP was assessed using the AMBIANCE scale. Child's single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2254298 within the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and rs2740210 of the oxytocin gene (OXT) were genotyped using DNA isolated from cord blood. Results Maternal CM experiences (CM+) were significantly associated with an unresolved attachment status, higher perceived stress and more psychological symptoms. These negative effects of CM were attenuated by social support. As expected, maternal unresolved attachment and child disorganized attachment were significantly associated. Maternal caregiving did not mediate the relationship between maternal and child attachment but influenced children's HR and RSA response and disorganized behavior. Moreover, the rs2254298 genotype of the OXTR gene moderated the stress response of children from mothers with CM. Children carrying the rs2740210 risk allele of the OXT gene showed more disorganized behavior independent from maternal CM experiences. Conclusion We replicated and extended existing CM and attachment models by co-examining maternal attachment, social support, and child genetic susceptibility on child attachment and cardiovascular stress regulation. The findings contribute to an extended understanding of risk and resilience factors and enable professionals to target adequate services to parents and children at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Buchheim
- Department of Clinical Psychology II, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ute Ziegenhain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Christiane Waller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Nuremberg General Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Harald Gündel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexander Karabatsiakis
- Department of Clinical Psychology II, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jörg Fegert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
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Donithen R, Schoppe-Sullivan S. Correlates and predictors of parenting self-efficacy in new fathers. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY : JFP : JOURNAL OF THE DIVISION OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (DIVISION 43) 2022; 36:396-405. [PMID: 34398623 PMCID: PMC8847545 DOI: 10.1037/fam0000910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Parenting self-efficacy is a critical determinant of high-quality parenting behavior, but this aspect of parenting cognitions has been understudied for fathers. Longitudinal data from a sample of 182 fathers of firstborn infants in dual-earner families were used to assess how expectant fathers' rearing history, personality and personal characteristics, and family relationships were associated with their initial levels of parenting self-efficacy in the early postpartum period. Expectant fathers completed surveys assessing their rearing history, personality, and personal characteristics during the third trimester of pregnancy and reported on their perceptions of coparenting and parenting self-efficacy at three months postpartum. Results of hierarchical regression analyses showed that new fathers were at risk for lower parenting self-efficacy when they had greater attachment anxiety and neuroticism, believed that mothers are inherently better caretakers, and planned to use their own fathers as models for childrearing. In contrast, new fathers had greater parenting self-efficacy when they perceived their coparenting relationships with children's mothers more positively. These findings inform theory about the development of fathers' parenting cognitions and behavior and practice with expectant and new fathers, and, if replicated in a larger, more representative sample, may be used to identify expectant fathers at risk for low parenting self-efficacy and in the design of policy initiatives to enhance father-child relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed Donithen
- Children and Parents Lab, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University
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Attachment insecurity moderates the link between maternal childhood neglect and postpartum bonding to the infant. Arch Womens Ment Health 2022; 25:517-520. [PMID: 34318376 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-021-01163-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Mothers who experienced childhood neglect are at increased risk of parenting difficulties in adulthood, but adult attachment relationships may be protective. Eighty-eight postpartum women seeking outpatient psychiatric care completed self-report measures on adverse childhood experiences, adult attachment, mental health symptoms, and bonding. Beyond the effects of maternal mental health on bonding, childhood neglect predicted bonding difficulties only in mothers with more insecure attachments, suggesting adult attachment as a potential point of intervention to reduce the intergenerational transmission of risk.
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Fitter MH, Stern JA, Straske MD, Allard T, Cassidy J, Riggins T. Mothers’ Attachment Representations and Children’s Brain Structure. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:740195. [PMID: 35370579 PMCID: PMC8967255 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.740195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ample research demonstrates that parents’ experience-based mental representations of attachment—cognitive models of close relationships—relate to their children’s social-emotional development. However, no research to date has examined how parents’ attachment representations relate to another crucial domain of children’s development: brain development. The present study is the first to integrate the separate literatures on attachment and developmental social cognitive neuroscience to examine the link between mothers’ attachment representations and 3- to 8-year-old children’s brain structure. We hypothesized that mothers’ attachment representations would relate to individual differences in children’s brain structures involved in stress regulation—specifically, amygdala and hippocampal volumes—in part via mothers’ responses to children’s distress. We assessed 52 mothers’ attachment representations (secure base script knowledge on the Attachment Script Assessment and self-reported attachment avoidance and anxiety on the Experiences in Close Relationships scale) and children’s brain structure. Mothers’ secure base script knowledge was significantly related to children’s smaller left amygdala volume but was unrelated to hippocampal volume; we found no indirect links via maternal responses to children’s distress. Exploratory analyses showed associations between mothers’ attachment representations and white matter and thalamus volumes. Together, these preliminary results suggest that mothers’ attachment representations may be linked to the development of children’s neural circuitry related to stress regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan H. Fitter
- Maryland Child and Family Development Lab, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Megan H. Fitter,
| | - Jessica A. Stern
- BabyLab, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Martha D. Straske
- Maryland Child and Family Development Lab, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Tamara Allard
- Neurocognitive Development Lab, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Jude Cassidy
- Maryland Child and Family Development Lab, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Tracy Riggins
- Neurocognitive Development Lab, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
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Sledge H, Lawler M, Hourihane J, Franklin R, Boland F, Dunne S, McCallion N, O'Mahony L, Byrne S. Parenting a newborn baby during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative survey. BMJ Paediatr Open 2022; 6:10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001348. [PMID: 35984697 PMCID: PMC8905983 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic caused long periods of lockdown, social isolation and intense challenges for parents. This study examines parenting in an infant cohort born at the pandemic onset. METHODS The CORAL study is a prospective longitudinal observational study looking at allergy, immune function and neurodevelopmental outcome in babies born between March and May 2020. Demographic information was collected, babies were reviewed at 6-monthly intervals, and serology for COVID-19 infection was recorded. When babies were 12 months old, parents were asked for 3-5 words to describe raising a baby during the pandemic. Frequency of word usage was compared between first time parents and parents with other children, and parents of babies with and without a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. RESULTS 354 babies were recruited to CORAL study. Social circles were small. At 6 months the median number of people (including parents) who had kissed the baby was 3, and by 12 months one-quarter of babies had never met another child of similar age. 304 parents completed the word choice. Commonly reported words were lonely (44.4%), isolating (31.9%) and strong bond (15.8%). 12 of those 304 babies had COVID-19 in their first year of life and there was no significant difference in reported negative or positive word number compared with parents of babies without a COVID-19 infection, or by first time parents or those who already had children. CONCLUSION The lockdowns and social restrictions made raising an infant challenging for all parents in Ireland. It is important parents know this was a shared experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey Sledge
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marguerite Lawler
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jonathan Hourihane
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ruth Franklin
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona Boland
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sumi Dunne
- Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi McCallion
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Maternity Hospital, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Liam O'Mahony
- Department of Medicine and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Susan Byrne
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland .,Department of Paediatrics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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27
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Li M, Chen X, Gong H, Wang W, Ji W, Liang S. Relationship between paternal adult attachment and adolescent anxiety: The chain-mediating effect of paternal psychological flexibility and father-adolescent attachment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 57:411-419. [PMID: 35157314 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Grounded in family systems theory and the internal working model of attachment, the present study tested the effects of paternal adult attachment, paternal psychological flexibility and father-adolescent attachment on adolescent anxiety. In total, 906 pairs of fathers and their adolescents completed a set of questionnaires, including the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, Parental Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, and Trait Anxiety Inventory. The results revealed that paternal adult attachment avoidance had a positive impact on adolescent anxiety. The relationship between paternal adult attachment and adolescent anxiety was chain mediated by paternal psychological flexibility and father-adolescent attachment. The mediation effects contained two paths: the separate mediation effect of paternal psychological flexibility, and the chain mediation effect of paternal psychological flexibility and father-adolescent attachment. The results of the study show that the father's adult attachment can not only directly affect adolescent anxiety, but also indirectly affect adolescent anxiety through the paternal psychological flexibility and the quality of father-adolescent attachment. Fathers have an important effect on adolescent anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengge Li
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Huoliang Gong
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wanghua Ji
- School of Management, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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28
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Chasson M, Ben‐Yaakov O, Taubman – Ben‐Ari O. Parenthood in the shadow of COVID-19: The contribution of gender, personal resources and anxiety to first time parents' perceptions of the infant. CHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK 2022; 27:79-89. [PMID: 34899028 PMCID: PMC8652776 DOI: 10.1111/cfs.12883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We sought to examine new parents' perceptions of their infant during the worldwide spread of COVID-19, exploring the contribution of gender, personal resources (attachment orientation, presence of meaning in life and intolerance of uncertainty) and COVID-19-related anxieties. A convenience sample of 606 Israeli first-time parents (137 fathers and 469 mothers), whose child was 3-12 months old, was recruited through social media during April 2020. Findings indicate that being a woman, younger age, lower education, better physical health, older infant's age, lower attachment anxiety, higher presence of meaning in life and greater COVID-19-related anxiety over the infant's health contributed significantly to a greater perception of infant's warmth; being a father, higher education and economic status, poorer physical health, higher attachment anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty and less presence of meaning in life contributed significantly to a greater perception of infant's invasiveness. Gender moderated the associations between the personal resources and infant's perception, and both the presence of meaning in life and intolerance of uncertainty mediated the associations between COVID-19-related anxieties and parent's perception of the infant. The findings reveal the crucial contribution of gender, and both risk and resilience factors, to the parent's perception of the infant in the shadow of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Chasson
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social WorkBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat GanIsrael
| | - Ofir Ben‐Yaakov
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social WorkBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat GanIsrael
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29
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The mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between mother’s attachment style and offspring’s depression. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02529-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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30
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Lutkiewicz K, Bidzan M. Maternal adult attachment and maternal-fetal attachment in the context of romantic relationship quality after premature birth-A cross sectional study. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:935871. [PMID: 36081456 PMCID: PMC9445204 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.935871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary outcome of the study was to evaluate the maternal adult attachment and maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) in the context of romantic relationship quality among mothers of preterm born children. Associations between MFA, maternal adult attachment, maternal perceived stress, depressive symptoms, social support in the neonatal period were also examined as secondary outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study had a cross-sectional design and involved 260 of women after premature birth, who participated in the study in the early neonatal period. The following self-reported methods were used: Socio-demographic questionnaire, Attachment Styles Questionnaire (ASQ), Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS), The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), The Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ). RESULTS The results showed that a secure attachment style is associated with a higher intensity of the MFA and consequently, a higher quality of the romantic relationship. Regression analysis presented that the higher the secure attachment score, the lower the perceived level of stress and depressive symptoms, which in turn lead to a higher quality of the partner relationship. CONCLUSION Maternal secure attachment positively impacts the romantic relationship quality and the maternal-fetal attachment. The findings also draw attention to the role of the secure attachment style as a protective factor while coping with stress and depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Lutkiewicz
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mariola Bidzan
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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31
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Riquin E, Sandnes R, Bacro F, Vinay A, Miljkovitch R, Rouger V, Rakotonjanahary J, Gascoin G, Müller JB. A Prospective Observational Study to Assess Attachment Representations With Regard to Neurocognitive and Behavioral Outcomes in Children Born Very Prematurely in the Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT Cohort). Front Pediatr 2022; 10:896103. [PMID: 35903159 PMCID: PMC9315259 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.896103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT AND PURPOSE Prematurity is a situation that can disrupt parent-child interactions. We hypothesize that establishing relationships with parents in a context of extreme prematurity can alter the development of secure attachment representations in the child. Furthermore, we hypothesize that secure maternal representations and their possible interactions with prematurity factors prevent the development of insecure or disorganized attachment in the child. In addition, maternal representations and their possible interactions with factors related to prematurity may prevent or accentuate the development of an insecure or disorganized attachment in the child. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a longitudinal, prospective, exploratory, and bi-centric study. Children born in the neonatal intensive care units of Angers or Nantes University Hospitals with a gestational age of up to 28 weeks will be included in the study. The main objective is to describe the attachment representations at 3 and 5 years through the Attachment Story Completion Task scales and to analyze them in regard to the children's neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes as well as maternal attachment and mental health. ETHICS The study file received a favorable opinion for the implementation of this research on February 18, 2020 - ID-RCB no. 2019-A03352-55 (File 2-20-007 id6699) 2°HPS. This study has received authorization from the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL) under no. 920229. DISCUSSION A better understanding of attachment representations in extreme prematurity and their possible associations with children's neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes as well as maternal attachment and mental health could pave the way for individualized care at an early stage, or even interventions during the neonatal period to improve the outcome of these vulnerable newborns. TRIAL REGISTRATION [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04304846].
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Riquin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France.,CHU Angers, University of Angers, Angers, France.,Fondation de Santé des Étudiants de France, Clinique de Sablé sur Sarthe, Sablé sur Sarthe, France
| | - Ramona Sandnes
- Faculty of Psychology, Centre de Recherche en Education de Nantes (CREN - EA 2661), University of Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Fabien Bacro
- Faculty of Psychology, Centre de Recherche en Education de Nantes (CREN - EA 2661), University of Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Aubeline Vinay
- Départements d'Enseignement LLSH - DEP ENS LLSH Psychologie, UFR Lettres Langues et Sciences Humaines - LLSH, Angers, France
| | | | - Valérie Rouger
- Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT) Network, Pays de Loire, France
| | | | - Géraldine Gascoin
- Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT) Network, Pays de Loire, France.,Department of Neonatal Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Müller
- Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT) Network, Pays de Loire, France.,Department of Neonatal Medicine, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.,National Institute of Health and Medical Research CIC004, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
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32
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Ding F, Jia Y, Cheng G, Wu L, Hu T, Zhang D. Secure Attachment Priming Amplifies Approach Motivation for Infant Faces Among Childless Adults. Front Psychol 2021; 12:736379. [PMID: 34777122 PMCID: PMC8578675 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.736379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Existing studies have indicated that priming secure attachment alters adults' neural responses to infant faces. However, no study has examined whether this effect exists for motivational behavioral responses, and none of the previous studies included adult faces as a baseline to determine whether the security prime enhances responses to human faces in general or infant faces alone. To address this limitation, the current study recruited 160 unmarried and childless adults in the first phase, and all of them completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Interest in Infants, the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR), and State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM). A week later, after priming, 152 (76 security-primed vs. 76 neutrally primed) participants completed the SAAM and a behavioral program assessing their motivational responses to both adult and infant faces (i.e., liking, representational, and evoked responses). A manipulation check showed that the security prime was effective. Then, generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) showed that security priming enhances adults' liking, representational, and evoked responses (three components of the motivational system) only to infant faces and not to adult faces. Moreover, hierarchical regression analysis indicated that, even after security priming, there was a substantial linear relationship between positive motivation toward infant faces and the state of adult secure attachment. In summary, this study demonstrated for the first time that promoting the state of adult secure attachment can effectively enhance the effect size of the baby face schema. The current results were interpreted according to Bowlby's view of the attachment behavioral system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Ding
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Center for Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuncheng Jia
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Center for Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gang Cheng
- School of Psychology, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China.,Center for Rural Children and Adolescents Mental Health Education, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lili Wu
- Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Tianqiang Hu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Center for Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dajun Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Center for Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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33
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Calvo V, Cusinato M, Meneghet N, Miscioscia M. Perceived Social Support Mediates the Negative Impact of Insecure Attachment Orientations on Internalized Homophobia in Gay Men. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2021; 68:2266-2284. [PMID: 32130083 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2020.1734378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The mediating effect of perceived social support on the influence of insecure attachment orientations on internalized homophobia was assessed in a group of 70 Italian gay men (mean age = 28.8, SD = 6.2, range: 19-46 years). Participants completed self-report measures of adult attachment (Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised), perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), and internalized homophobia (Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay). Higher levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance, and perceptions of lower social support were correlated with higher levels of internalized homophobia. The mediation analyses showed that only attachment anxiety, but not avoidance, may have a direct link with internalized homophobia, while both anxiety and avoidance may have an indirect influence on internalized homophobia mediated by perceived social support. Improving social support can reduce the negative effects of homophobia on gay men, thus mitigating the detrimental fallout of any insecure attachment orientations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Calvo
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy, and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Cusinato
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Natasha Meneghet
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy, and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Marina Miscioscia
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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Madsen EB, Smith-Nielsen J, Egmose I, Lange T, Vaever MS. The impact of childhood adversity on parenting stress is mediated by adult attachment and depressive symptoms. Scand J Psychol 2021; 63:47-54. [PMID: 34743339 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences can have far-reaching implications for later mental health, including in parenthood. Research suggests that childhood adversity is a risk factor for later parenting stress, yet the underlying mechanisms are only just being uncovered. Uncovering these mechanisms is important to diminish heightened levels of parenting stress and thereby reduce adverse effects of elevated parenting stress on child and parent outcomes. In a cross-sectional study using a sample of mothers of 2-10 month-old infants (N = 367) we first examined depressive symptoms as a mediator, and then, the indirect effect of adult attachment through depressive symptoms between childhood adversity and parenting stress. Results showed that the effect of childhood adversity on parenting stress was mediated by an indirect pathway through depressive symptoms alone, and an indirect pathway of adult attachment through depressive symptoms. The indirect effect of adult attachment through depressive symptoms was found to be stronger than the indirect effect of depressive symptoms alone, supporting the hypothesis that adult attachment insecurity together with depressive symptoms are particularly important risk factors to be considered in this relationship. Results suggest that childhood adversity is a risk factor for parenting stress, and not a determinant of later parenting stress per se. Instead, mediators in this association, adult attachment, and depressive symptoms, were identified as potential targets of intervention to prevent negative effects of childhood adversity on parenting stress. A limitation of the study lies in its cross-sectional design. Future studies should examine these associations longitudinally to allow for interpretation of causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Back Madsen
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ida Egmose
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Theis Lange
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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35
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Chae Y, Goodman GS, Wang Y, Goodman M, McWilliams K, Shaver PR, Thompson RA, Widaman KF. Parents' attachment orientation, interviewers' support, and children's memory for a mildly distressing event. Memory 2021; 29:1384-1395. [PMID: 34694210 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2021.1988644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Parents' attachment orientations predict children's memory about distressing life events, such that parents who are less secure in close relationships tend to have children who are less accurate in their memory reports. This study examined whether socially supportive interviewing would reduce differences in children's memory performance associated with parents' attachment. Children (3 to 5 years, N = 63) and their primary caretakers took part in the Preschool Attachment Classification System (PACS), a moderately distressing event for children of preschool age that is based on the Strange Situation Procedure. Children's memory for the event was then tested shortly thereafter by either a supportive or a non-supportive interviewer. In the non-supportive condition, children whose parents scored higher on attachment avoidance provided lower proportions of correct free recall. However, the association was not significant for children in the supportive condition. In addition, higher parental attachment anxiety predicted lower proportions of correct free recall for children of highly avoidant parents, but not for children of parents lower in attachment avoidance. For direct questions, age differences in proportion correct and proportion incorrect favoured older children. Findings provide insight into interviewing techniques at time of memory retrieval that benefit children of insecure parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoojin Chae
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Gail S Goodman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Miranda Goodman
- Department of Psychology, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Kelly McWilliams
- Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phillip R Shaver
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ross A Thompson
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Keith F Widaman
- Graduate School of Education, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
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36
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Nelson-Coffey SK, Johnson C, Coffey JK. Safe haven gratitude improves emotions, well-being, and parenting outcomes among parents with high levels of attachment insecurity. THE JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2021.1991454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Katherine Nelson-Coffey
- Department of Psychology, Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, United States
- Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, United States
| | - Claire Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, United States
| | - John K. Coffey
- Department of Psychology, Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, United States
- Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, United States
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37
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Quintigliano M, Trentini C, Fortunato A, Lauriola M, Speranza AM. Role of Parental Attachment Styles in Moderating Interaction Between Parenting Stress and Perceived Infant Characteristics. Front Psychol 2021; 12:730086. [PMID: 34744898 PMCID: PMC8564486 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
By employing the transactional model of development and focusing on the multifactorial nature of parenting, this study aimed to (1) examine whether important risk factors, particularly mothers' insecure attachment styles and parenting stress contribute to the perception of their infants' characteristics and (2) explore whether maternal attachment styles moderate the relationship between parenting stress and perceived infants' characteristics. We recruited 357 mothers (age: 34.23; ± 5.38) who had 1-year-old infants (161 males and 196 females; age: 12.70; ± 1.60 months). All the mothers completed three self-report instruments: Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and 1st-Year Inventory (FYI). Although the latter was originally developed to determine the risk for autism in 1-year-olds, it was employed in this study to measure infant's characteristics within two domains: social communication and sensory regulatory functions. Multiple regression analyses revealed that one of the PSI-SF dimensions - specifically the Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction - contributed to mothers' perceptions of their children's social communication abilities, whereas the attachment style did not. Other multiple regression analyses showed that all the dimensions of parenting stress - that is, Parenting Distress (PD), Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction (PCDI), and Difficult Child (DC) - contributed to mothers' perceptions of their sensory regulatory abilities. The attachment styles, particularly anxious attachment, contributed significantly to a biased perception of these abilities controlled for parenting stress. Mothers reporting high levels of avoidance and high levels of PD viewed their children as less able in the social communicative domain (SC Dom) than if they had low levels of PD. By contrast, when levels of avoidance were low, mothers with high PD perceived their children as less difficult in the SC Dom than those with low levels of PD. Moreover, high avoidance levels influenced how mothers who considered the interaction with their children as difficult perceived them as having greater difficulties in relation to sensory regulatory domain (SR Dom). By contrast, mothers with high levels of anxiety high levels of PD view their children as less able in the SC Dom than if they had low levels of PD. When mothers' levels of anxiety were very low, those with high PD viewed their children as less difficult in the SC Dom in comparison to those with low levels of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Quintigliano
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Trentini
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alexandro Fortunato
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Lauriola
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Speranza
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Li M, Chen X, Gong H, Ji W, Wang W, Liang S, Kong A. The Predictive Effect of Parental Adult Attachment on Parent-Adolescent Attachment: The Mediating Role of Harsh Parenting. Front Psychol 2021; 12:710167. [PMID: 34456824 PMCID: PMC8385784 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.710167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between parental adult attachment and parent–adolescent attachment and investigates the mediating role of harsh parenting from the perspective of family systems theory. The sample included adolescents and their parents from 1,030 families in Henan Province, China. Measures included the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment Scale, and Harsh Parenting Scale. The results showed that paternal avoidance negatively predicts father–adolescent and mother–adolescent attachments, while maternal avoidance and maternal anxiety negatively predict father–adolescent attachment and mother–adolescent attachment, respectively. Paternal harsh parenting not only mediated the relationship between paternal adult and father–adolescent attachment but also between paternal adult and mother–adolescent attachment. However, maternal harsh parenting only plays an intermediary role between maternal adult and mother–adolescent attachment. The results of the study show that compared with the adverse effects of maternal adult attachment and maternal harsh parenting on parent–adolescent attachment, paternal avoidance and paternal harsh parenting more negatively affect parent–adolescent attachment, which is not conducive to familial harmony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengge Li
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Huoliang Gong
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wanghua Ji
- School of Management, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | | | - Anran Kong
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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Kalfon Hakhmigari M, Peled Y, Krissi H, Levy S, Molmen-Lichter M, Handelzalts JE. Anxious Attachment Mediates the Associations Between Early Recollections of Mother's Own Parental Bonding and Mother-Infant Bonding: A 2-Month Path Analysis Model. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:682161. [PMID: 34366916 PMCID: PMC8336863 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.682161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parental bonding (recollection of own parents' parenting), adult attachment, and mother-infant bonding are all closely related yet distinct concepts of the parent-child relationship, sometimes used interchangeably in the literature. This study aimed to examine the associations between these concepts in a longitudinal path analysis design. A total of 262 postpartum women who gave birth at the maternity ward of a large tertiary health center in Israel completed a demographic questionnaire, the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) at 1-4 days postpartum, and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) at 2 months postpartum. Parental care factor (PBI) was found to be associated with mother-infant bonding (PBQ), directly and indirectly through insecure anxious attachment (ECR). Denial of autonomy factor (PBI) was found to be associated with mother-infant bonding (PBQ) only through insecure anxious attachment (ECR). Encouragement of behavioral freedom factor (PBI) was found to be associated with mother-infant bonding (PBQ) in a simple correlation but not in the complete model. The results highlight the intergenerational aspects of parenting and suggest that early childhood interventions with parents may have a long-term impact on child-rearing though generations, and by that on children's development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoav Peled
- The Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Haim Krissi
- The Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sigal Levy
- Statistics Education Unit, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maayan Molmen-Lichter
- School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jonathan E. Handelzalts
- School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Psychiatry Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Parental Attachment Style and Young Persons’ Adjustment to Bereavement. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-021-09621-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Previous clinical and theoretical work supports the idea that parental attachment style and complicated grief affect young persons’ mental health, but empirical research investigating their impact on young person’s adjustment to bereavement is lacking.
Objective
This study investigated the impact of parental attachment style and complicated grief on young person’s adjustment to bereavement. It was hypothesised that a) parental attachment anxiety, avoidance, and complicated grief would moderate the link between bereavement experience and psychological distress in young persons and b) parental attachment style would moderate the link between parental complicated grief and psychological distress experienced by bereaved young persons.
Method
This was a questionnaire-based case control study, involving two participant groups: 133 parents of young persons who had experienced the loss of the loved one and 101 parents of young persons with no bereavement experience.
Results
Bereaved young persons experienced greater externalising and internalising problems than the non-bereaved only when they were raised by an anxiously attached parent, but when parental attachment anxiety was low, bereaved children had fewer problems than the non-bereaved. When parental attachment avoidance was low, bereaved children also had fewer externalising problems than the non-bereaved. Among the bereaved, high levels of parental attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance amplified the link between parental complicated grief and child post-traumatic stress, while in the presence of low parental anxiety, complicated grief was negatively associated with an immediate distressing response and numbing-dissociative symptomatology.
Conclusions
Psychological vulnerability in bereaved young persons was associated with an insecure parental attachment style.
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Ong C, Tan RKJ, Le D, Tan A, Tyler A, Tan C, Kwok C, Banerjee S, Wong ML. Association between sexual orientation acceptance and suicidal ideation, substance use, and internalised homophobia amongst the pink carpet Y cohort study of young gay, bisexual, and queer men in Singapore. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:971. [PMID: 34022843 PMCID: PMC8141135 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10992-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gay, bisexual and queer (GBQ) men are frequently subjected to minority stressors that have negative impacts on their health. Milestones that include the acceptance and disclosure of sexual identity amongst GBQ men are hence key instruments in understanding the prevalence of internalised homophobia and predicting health outcomes. As such, this work takes a novel approach to deduce the correlates of delayed acceptance of sexual orientation in young GBQ men as a measure of internalised homophobia through retrospective self-reporting and age-based analysis. Methods Participants were recruited as part of a cohort study exploring the syndemic risks associated with HIV acquisition among young GBQ men in Singapore. We examined their levels of internalised, perceived, experienced homophobia, as well as their health behaviours and suicidal tendencies. Two separate variables were also self-reported by the participants – the age of questioning of sexual orientation and the age of acceptance of sexual orientation. We subsequently recoded a new variable, delayed acceptance of sexual orientation, by taking the difference between these two variables, regressing it as an independent and dependent variable to deduce its psychosocial correlates, as well as its association with other measured instruments of health. Results As a dependent variable, delayed acceptance of sexual orientation is positively associated with an increase of age and internalised homophobia, while being negatively associated with reporting as being gay, compared to being bisexual or queer. As an independent variable, delayed acceptance of sexual orientation was associated with a delayed age of coming out to siblings and parents, suicide ideation, historical use of substances including smoking tobacco cigarettes and consuming marijuana, as well as reporting higher levels of experienced, internalised and perceived homophobia. Conclusion Greater levels of early intervention and efforts are required to reduce the heightened experience of minority stress resulting from communal and institutional hostilities. Areas of improvement may include community-based counselling and psychological support for GBQ men, while not forsaking greater education of the social and healthcare sectors. Most importantly, disrupting the stigma narrative of a GBQ ‘lifestyle’ is paramount in establishing an accepting social environment that reduces the health disparity faced by GBQ men. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10992-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarence Ong
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, MD1 Tahir Foundation Building #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Rayner Kay Jin Tan
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, MD1 Tahir Foundation Building #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore.
| | - Daniel Le
- Action for AIDS Singapore, 9 Kelantan Lane #03-01, Singapore, 208628, Singapore.,National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Avin Tan
- Action for AIDS Singapore, 9 Kelantan Lane #03-01, Singapore, 208628, Singapore
| | - Adrian Tyler
- Action for AIDS Singapore, 9 Kelantan Lane #03-01, Singapore, 208628, Singapore
| | - Calvin Tan
- Action for AIDS Singapore, 9 Kelantan Lane #03-01, Singapore, 208628, Singapore
| | - Chronos Kwok
- Action for AIDS Singapore, 9 Kelantan Lane #03-01, Singapore, 208628, Singapore
| | - Sumita Banerjee
- Action for AIDS Singapore, 9 Kelantan Lane #03-01, Singapore, 208628, Singapore
| | - Mee Lian Wong
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, MD1 Tahir Foundation Building #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
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Zhang L, Wang L, Yuan Q, Huang C, Cui S, Zhang K, Zhou X. The mediating role of prenatal depression in adult attachment and maternal-fetal attachment in primigravida in the third trimester. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021; 21:307. [PMID: 33863310 PMCID: PMC8052769 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03779-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prenatal depression and adult attachment are factors that affect the establishment of an intimate relationship between a mother and fetus. The study explored differences in prenatal depression and maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) scores between different types of adult attachment and the effects of maternal depression scores and attachment dimensions on maternal intimacy with the fetus. Methods The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Experience of Close Relationship (ECR) scale, Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS) and a general data scale were used to investigate 260 primigravida. An exploratory analysis was performed to analyze the effects of the depression score and adult attachment on MFA. Results The results showed that pregnant women with insecure attachment exhibited an increased prevalence of prenatal depression, lower total MFA scores, and lower MFA quality compared with those women with secure adult attachment. The explorative analysis showed that the depression scores mediated the relationship between adult attachment avoidance and MFA quality. Conclusions Primigravida who had insecure adult attachment exhibited an increased prevalence of prenatal depression and lower MFA. Maternal depression and adult attachment may affect the emotional bond between a mother and fetus. This finding should be seriously considered, and timely intervention needs to take personality traits into consideration. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-03779-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 238000, China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 238000, China
| | - Qiuyu Yuan
- School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 238000, China
| | - Cui Huang
- School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 238000, China
| | - Shu Cui
- School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 238000, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Chaohu Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 238000, China.
| | - Xiaoqin Zhou
- Chaohu Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 238000, China.
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43
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Dollberg DG. Mothers' parental mentalization, attachment dimensions and mother-infant relational patterns. Attach Hum Dev 2021; 24:189-207. [PMID: 33729095 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2021.1901297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We examined the links between mothers' prenatal attachment dimensions, parental mentalization and mother-infant relational patterns. The sample consisted of 68 mother-infant dyads. During pregnancy, mothers reported on attachment-related anxiety and avoidance. When the infants were three months old, the mothers' parental reflective functioning (PRF) was assessed via the PDI-R2-S interview. Mothers-infant free play interactions were coded for maternal sensitivity and dyadic reciprocity and mothers' utterances were coded for appropriate and non-attuned mind-mindedness (MM). Prenatal attachment anxiety was associated with less appropriate MM. Appropriate MM was associated with maternal sensitivity and mother-infant dyadic reciprocity. The models predicting maternal sensitivity and dyadic reciprocity from dimensions of the mothers' prenatal anxiety/avoidance attachment, mediated by their PRF, appropriate and non-attuned MM, were significant. Univariate analyses revealed a significant direct link only between appropriate MM and mother-infant dyadic reciprocity. We discuss these results as well as the differences between the PRF and MM constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphna G Dollberg
- School of Behavioral Sciences, Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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44
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Liang Z, Delvecchio E, Cheng Y, Mazzeschi C. Parent and Child's Negative Emotions During COVID-19: The Moderating Role of Parental Attachment Style. Front Psychol 2021; 12:567483. [PMID: 33746813 PMCID: PMC7973364 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.567483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In February 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appeared and spread rapidly in Italy. With the health emergency and social isolation, parents started spending more time with their children, and they might have experienced greater distress. Attachment style is considered as an effective emotion regulation strategy in the parent-child relationship. However, few empirical studies have addressed this issue. Based on attachment theory, this study aimed to find parental attachment style as a candidate to moderate the relation between parents' negative emotions and their perceptions of their children's negative emotions related to COVID-19. Parents (Mage = 42.55 ± 6.56, 88.2% female) of 838 Italian children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years participated in an online survey. Results showed that parents with a fearful attachment style had significantly higher negative emotions when facing COVID-19 than those with other attachment styles. Moreover, parents with a dismissing attachment style perceived fewer negative emotions in their children than parents with fearful and preoccupied styles. At last, higher parents' negative emotions were associated with greater perception of children's negative emotions only in parents classified as secure and fearful. These findings suggest that parents with dismissing and fearful attachment styles and their children may be at higher risk during the COVID-19 pandemic and they should be given long-term attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqin Liang
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisa Delvecchio
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Yucong Cheng
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Mazzeschi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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45
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Jones JD, Stern JA, Fitter MH, Mikulincer M, Shaver PR, Cassidy J. Attachment and attitudes toward children: effects of security priming in parents and non-parents. Attach Hum Dev 2021; 24:147-168. [PMID: 33559538 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2021.1881983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The present two-study investigation is the first to examine whether experimentally boosting attachment security (security priming) affects attitudes in the parenting domain for both parents and non-parents. Mothers (n = 72) and childless undergraduates (n = 82) were randomly assigned to a neutral or a secure prime condition and then completed measures of implicit attitudes (a child-focused version of the Go/No-Go Association Task) and explicit attitudes (self-reported) toward children. Following the priming manipulation, mothers in the secure prime condition had more positive implicit attitudes toward their child compared to mothers in the neutral prime condition. Security priming also increased mothers' positive explicit attitudes toward their children, but only among mothers who scored high on self-reported attachment-related avoidance. No priming effects emerged among non-parents. These results provide the first evidence for a causal link between parental attachment security and parental attitudes toward children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Jones
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessica A Stern
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Megan H Fitter
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Mario Mikulincer
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzlyia, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Phillip R Shaver
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jude Cassidy
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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Handelzalts JE, Levy S, Molmen-Lichter M, Ayers S, Krissi H, Wiznitzer A, Peled Y. The association of attachment style, postpartum PTSD and depression with bonding- A longitudinal path analysis model, from childbirth to six months. J Affect Disord 2021; 280:17-25. [PMID: 33202334 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is substantial evidence that postpartum depression (PPD) is associated with a poor mother-infant bond, however, fewer studies have examined the role of other postpartum psychopathologies such as birth-related PTSD or relevant trait variables such as adult attachment styles in the quality of the mother-infant bond. METHODS 210 postpartum women were sampled in a maternity ward of a tertiary health care center. Participants completed questionnaires at three-time points. Demographics questionnaire and the Adult Attachment style scale were administrated at 1-4 days postpartum, the City Birth Trauma Scale and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale two months postpartum and the Postpartum Bonding questionnaire at six months postpartum. RESULTS The associations between adult attachment styles and postpartum bonding were fully mediated by postpartum psychopathology. Avoidant attachment had indirect effects on bonding through general PTSD symptoms (Beta=0.05, p=.019) and PPD (Beta=0.06, p=.010). Anxious attachment also had indirect effects on bonding through general PTSD symptoms (Beta=0.04, p=.044) and PPD (Beta=0.10, p=.001). In contrast, birth-related PTSD symptoms were not associated with bonding. The model presented a good fit. LIMITATIONS Women sampled from one health-care center and self-report measures used. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that although birth-related PTSD symptoms may cause difficulties, importantly they may not be associated with bonding difficulties six months postpartum. Therefore, women could be reassured that their birth-related PTSD symptoms, may not impact on bonding. Consequently, if interventions are specifically aimed at improving the mother-infant bond, the general-related PTSD, PPD symptoms and insecure attachment styles should be the focus of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Handelzalts
- School of Behavioral Sciences, Academic College of Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Sigal Levy
- School of Behavioral Sciences, Academic College of Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Susan Ayers
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Haim Krissi
- The Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Arnon Wiznitzer
- The Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Peled
- The Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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The value added of attachment theory, research, and intervention for US child care and early childhood education: Reflecting and carrying forward the legacy of Edward Zigler. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 33:545-553. [PMID: 33446291 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420001571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Edward Zigler pioneered and insisted upon the integration of science, practice, and policy development to support vulnerable children and families, reduce poverty, and improve US wellbeing, writ large. His far-reaching scholarship in turn critically shaped developmental science and US policy in multiple areas. This review reflects upon Zigler's influence on US child care, Head Start, Early Head Start, and prekindergarten programs. It describes the integration of one major area of developmental science, the field of attachment theory, research, and intervention, with US child care and early childhood education programs and policy. The integration of attachment into these systems not only epitomizes Zigler's overarching canon but also has improved services and advanced attachment theory and research. Throughout the review, I suggest next steps for leveraging attachment theory, research, and intervention to improve US child care and early childhood education systems in ways that both reflect and carry forward the legacy of Edward Zigler.
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Missler M, van Straten A, Denissen J, Donker T, Beijers R. Effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention for expecting parents to prevent postpartum parenting stress, depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:658. [PMID: 33129314 PMCID: PMC7603696 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03341-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first months postpartum can be challenging for parents, leading to elevated symptoms of parenting stress, depression and anxiety. In turn, distressed parents are at higher risk for providing suboptimal quality of caregiving. As psychoeducational interventions can be effective in reducing psychological distress, the goal of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effectiveness of low-intensity universal psychoeducational program to prevent postpartum parenting stress, and to enhance parental well-being and caregiving quality. METHOD Between 26 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, 138 pregnant women and 96 partners were randomized to the intervention or a waitlist control group. The intervention consisted of a booklet, a video, a home visit, and a telephone call. Information was provided on (1) sensitive responsiveness, adapting to the parental role, and attending to own needs; (2) crying patterns; (3) feeding (arrangements); and (4) sleeping (arrangements). The primary outcome was parenting stress postpartum. Secondary outcomes were additional measures of distress (depression and anxiety), parental well-being, and caregiving quality. RESULTS Both groups showed a rise in distress after birth. No between-group differences were observed on parenting stress, nor on the secondary outcomes. The intervention was rated as useful and of added value by the parents. CONCLUSION This study offered no evidence that our universal prevention program was effective in decreasing parental distress or in increasing caregiving quality. However, parents found aspects of the intervention useful. More research is needed, including a longer period of follow-up as well as observational measures of parents' responsiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial has been registered on 15 September 2016 in the Netherlands National Trial Register, ID: NTR6065, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5782 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein Missler
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Section of Clinical Psychology & Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke van Straten
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Section of Clinical Psychology & Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Denissen
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tara Donker
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Section of Clinical Psychology & Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 8, D-79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Roseriet Beijers
- Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behavior, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Hepworth AD, Berlin LJ, Salas K, Pardue-Kim M, Martoccio TL, Jones Harden B. Increasing maternal sensitivity to infant distress through attachment-based intervention: a randomized controlled trial. Attach Hum Dev 2020; 23:953-968. [PMID: 33108981 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2020.1834592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Maternal sensitivity to infant distress is a key predictor of infant attachment security and social-emotional development. Preventive interventions that support mothers' sensitive responses to infant distress are crucial, as are rigorous evaluations that test for whom such interventions are effective. The current randomized controlled trial tested main and moderated effects of an attachment-based intervention on mothers' sensitivity to their infants' distress in 161 low-income, predominantly Latino mother-infant dyads. We tested the brief (10-session) Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention in the context of home-based federal Early Head Start services. An intent-to-treat analysis with covariates revealed a positive main intervention effect on maternal sensitivity to distress following a brief novel and potentially fear-inducing procedure (d = 0.32). The intervention effect was not moderated by mothers' self-reported attachment security, avoidance, or anxiety. Findings are discussed in terms of the value and feasibility of increasing maternal sensitivity to infant distress through attachment-based intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa J Berlin
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Katrieana Salas
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Brenda Jones Harden
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, USA.,University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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50
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Meems M, Hulsbosch L, Riem M, Meyers C, Pronk T, Broeren M, Nabbe K, Oei G, Bogaerts S, Pop V. The Brabant study: design of a large prospective perinatal cohort study among pregnant women investigating obstetric outcome from a biopsychosocial perspective. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e038891. [PMID: 33109659 PMCID: PMC7592269 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy is characterised by many biological and psychosocial changes. Adequate maternal thyroid function is important for the developing fetus throughout gestation. Latent class analyses recently showed three different patterns of change in thyroid function throughout pregnancy with different associations with obstetric outcome. Maternal distress during the pregnancy (anxiety and depression) negatively affects obstetric outcome. Pregnancy distress in turn may be affected by personality traits and attachment styles. Moreover, during the pregnancy, substantial social changes occur in the partner relationship and work experience. The aim of the Brabant study is to investigate the association between thyroid function trajectories and obstetric outcomes. Moreover, within the Brabant study, we will investigate how different trajectories of pregnancy distress are related to obstetric outcome, and the role of personality in this association. We will evaluate the possible role of maternal distress and attachment style on maternal-fetal bonding. Finally, we will study social changes in the perinatal period regarding partner relationship and well-being and performance at work. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The Brabant study is a longitudinal, prospective cohort study of an anticipated 4000 pregnant women. Women will be recruited at 8-10 weeks gestation among community midwife practices in South-East Brabant in the Netherlands. Thyroid function parameters (TSH and fT4), thyroid peroxidase antibody and human chorionic gonadotrophin will be assessed at 12, 20 and 28 weeks gestation. Moreover, at these three time points women will fill out questionnaires assessing demographic and obstetric features, life style habits and psychological and social variables, such as depressive symptoms, personality, partner relationship quality and burnout. Data from the obstetric records will also be collected. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Máxima Medical Center Veldhoven. Results will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals in the relevant fields and presented on national and international conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margreet Meems
- CoRPS - Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Hulsbosch
- CoRPS - Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon Riem
- CoRPS - Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Christina Meyers
- Department of Human Resource Studies, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Tila Pronk
- Department of Social Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Broeren
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Maxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Karin Nabbe
- Clinical Laboratory, Diagnostiek voor U, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Guid Oei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maxima Medical Center, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Bogaerts
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Victor Pop
- CoRPS - Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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