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Blake JA, Thomas HJ, Hurst CP, Pelecanos AM, McGee TR, Najman JM, Scott JG. A two-generation study of attachment in mothers and their young adult offspring: Latent classes of attachment and associations with anxiety and depression. J Affect Disord 2024; 358:361-368. [PMID: 38734244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.046] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence supports the conceptualization of adult attachment as existing along a continuum of attachment security and insecurity; however, ongoing debates persist regarding the use of categorical versus continuous approaches to studying attachment. Attachment data collected from a large community sample of mothers and their offspring in young adulthood were used to examine i) latent classes of adult attachment, ii) associations between mother and offspring attachment, iii) the relationship between adult attachment and mental health symptoms. METHODS Mothers and offspring were each administered the Attachment Style Questionnaire when offspring were aged 21-years. Latent class analyses (LCA) were performed to examine response patterns across ASQ items. Associations between mothers' and offspring attachment, and correlations between attachment domains and depression/anxiety subscales were examined. RESULTS LCA identified four latent classes across a continuum of secure and insecure attachment rather than four distinct adult attachment styles. Anxious attachment subscales correlated strongly with depression/anxiety symptoms in both cohorts. Mothers' attachment was significantly but weakly correlated with their young adult offspring attachment. LIMITATIONS Attachment was measured at one time point and as such, a causal maternal-offspring attachment relationship could not be established. CONCLUSIONS Findings support a dimensional view of attachment security and insecurity over a four-category model of adult attachment. Attachment correlated with anxiety and depressive symptoms and highlights the importance of considering adult attachment when addressing mental health. There was limited evidence of a relationship between middle aged mothers and their offspring in young adulthood, suggesting other factors influence attachment in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Blake
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia; School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Qld, Australia; Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Hannah J Thomas
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia; School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Qld, Australia
| | - Cameron P Hurst
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia; Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Tara Renae McGee
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, QLD, Australia
| | - Jake M Najman
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - James G Scott
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Qld, Australia; Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Fjermestad KW, Orm S, Fredriksen T, Haukeland YB, Vatne TM. Factor Structure of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Scale (ECR-RS) in Siblings of Children with Chronic Disorders. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:560. [PMID: 38790555 PMCID: PMC11120601 DOI: 10.3390/children11050560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Our objective was to examine the factor structure of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationships Structures (ECR-RS), an attachment-theory based relationship measure, in at-risk sample comprising siblings of children with chronic disorders. Psychometric studies with general populations have demonstrated that the ECR-RS comprises two factors, representing anxiety and avoidance in close relationships. The sample comprised 103 siblings (M age = 11.5 years, SD = 2.2, range 8 to 16 years) of children with chronic disorders and their parents. The siblings completed a 9-item version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationships Structures (ECR-RS) about their relations with mothers and fathers that was analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis. We examined construct validity using correlations between sibling social functioning, measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and parent mental health, measured with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. The ECR-RS comprised two factors, anxiety and avoidance, in line with previous studies. Both factors demonstrated significant overlap with sibling social functioning, but not with parental mental health. We conclude that the ECR-RS comprises two factors, anxiety and avoidance, that are related to siblings' social functioning. The ECR-RS can be used as a psychometrically sound measure of relationship anxiety and avoidance in families of children with chronic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krister W. Fjermestad
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, N-0373 Oslo, Norway; (T.F.); (T.M.V.)
- Frambu Resource Center for Rare Disorders, N-1404 Siggerud, Norway
| | - Stian Orm
- Innlandet Hospital Trust, N-2381 Brumunddal, Norway;
- Department of Psychology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, N-2624 Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Trude Fredriksen
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, N-0373 Oslo, Norway; (T.F.); (T.M.V.)
- Innlandet Hospital Trust, N-2381 Brumunddal, Norway;
| | | | - Torun M. Vatne
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, N-0373 Oslo, Norway; (T.F.); (T.M.V.)
- Frambu Resource Center for Rare Disorders, N-1404 Siggerud, Norway
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Paquette D, Dubois-Comtois K, Cyr C, Lemelin JP, Bacro F, Couture S, Bigras M. Early childhood attachment stability to mothers, fathers, and both parents as a network: associations with parents' well-being, marital relationship, and child behavior problems. Attach Hum Dev 2024; 26:66-94. [PMID: 38626163 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2024.2338089] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
This study examines the stability of child attachment to mothers and fathers separately, and to both parents as a network between the infancy and preschool periods using a sample of 143 biparental families and their children (73 boys) recruited from the general population. Attachment was assessed at 15 months with the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) and at 45 months with the Preschool Attachment Classification Coding System (PACS). First, results show no stability in attachment to mothers, to fathers, or to both parents as a network. Second, parents' mental health, life satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and child externalizing behavior are associated with attachment stability. Taken altogether, group comparisons reveal that children with a stable secure attachment to both parents as a network have parents with higher levels of well-being and exhibit less problem behaviors than children with 1) a stable secure attachment to one parent and an unstable attachment to the other parent (from secure to insecure or from insecure to secure), or 2) who never had a stable secure attachment to either parent. This study highlights the significance of attachment to both parents as a network over time as it is associated with developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Paquette
- École de psychoéducation, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Karine Dubois-Comtois
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Riviéres, Canada
| | - Chantal Cyr
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Jean-Pascal Lemelin
- Département de psychoéducation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Fabien Bacro
- Faculté de psychologie, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Couture
- Département de psychoéducation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Marc Bigras
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Tan R, Yang Y, Huang T, Lin X, Gao H. Parent-child attachment and mental health in young adolescents: a moderated mediation analysis. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1298485. [PMID: 38187411 PMCID: PMC10768540 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1298485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The parent-child attachment has a significant impact on adolescents' mental health. However, the influence of psychological quality and coping styles on this connection remains unknown. This study examined the relationship between parent-child attachment and adolescent mental health, by exploring the mediating role of psychological quality and the moderating role of coping styles. Methods A total of 633 young adolescents participated in this study after signing informed consent. They anonymously completed questionnaires including the Parent and Peer Attachment Scale (Parent Attachment Section), the Coping Styles Inventory for Middle School Students, the Brief Version of the Psychological Quality Inventory for Middle School Students, and the Chinese Middle School Students'Psychological Quality Inventory. After controlling for gender, grade, left-behind category, only-child status, and family structure. Results The moderated mediation model yielded the following findings: (a) parent-child attachment significantly and positively predicted adolescents'mental health; (b) psychological quality partially mediated the relationship between parent-child attachment and adolescents' mental health; (c) the association between psychological quality and mental health was moderated by task-focused coping. Discussion This moderation effect was more substantial for students with low task-focused coping behaviors, which aligns with the "exclusionary hypothesis" model. Therefore, our results indicate that parent-child attachment indirectly impacts mental health, influenced by internal and external factors. These findings carry significant implications for safeguarding and promoting adolescents' mental well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Tan
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | | | - Tao Huang
- Department of Preschool Education, Jiangmen Preschool Education College, Jiangmen, China
| | - Xuanxuan Lin
- Institute of Education Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua Gao
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
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Arkle P, Larkin F, Wang Y, Lee Y, Fernandez A, Li LY, Meins E. Early psychosocial risk factors and postnatal parental reflective functioning. INFANCY 2023; 28:864-881. [PMID: 37243878 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Psychosocial factors have been found to relate to parental reflective functioning (PRF), a parent's ability to mentalize about themselves and their child. Relations between maternal psychosocial risk factors and PRF were investigated in a community sample. A sample of mothers (n = 146) was assessed for risk factors when infants were 6 months, infant temperament was assessed using an observational measure, and PRF was assessed with the Parent Development Interview-Revised (PDI). PRF was measured again with the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) when children were 4 years (n = 105) and 5 years (n = 92), with an additional sample of mothers (n = 48) tested at these two timepoints. Results showed that in infancy, total maternal psychosocial risk related to lower PDI-PRF; regression analyses highlighted low socioeconomic status, unplanned pregnancy, and low maternal anxiety as independent predictors of lower PDI-PRF. PDI-PRF scores at 6 months did not relate to PRFQ scores, but PRFQ subscales showed stability over time from age 4-5. Results are discussed with regard to the impact of maternal psychosocial risk and infant temperament on PRF and the stability and concordance of PRF measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ying Wang
- University of York, York, UK
- Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Lydia Y Li
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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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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Ponnapalli A, Fisher T, Turner KMT. Exploring Indigenous Community Conceptions of Parent Wellbeing: A Qualitative Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3585. [PMID: 36834284 PMCID: PMC9962906 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Using non-Indigenous perspectives of parental social and emotional wellbeing in the design and application of parent support programs can undermine program effectiveness as it may not account for Indigenous family structures and community values. With a clearer understanding of Indigenous parent wellbeing and its determinants, parenting interventions can be more appropriately designed and tailored to provide support for Indigenous families. This study utilised a community-based participatory action research approach involving collaboration between the research team, participants, and community advisory groups to explore Indigenous parents' and carers' conceptions of wellbeing. Participants' cultural perspectives on parent wellbeing were collected through semi-structured focus groups and in-depth interviews (N = 20). Thematic analysis was undertaken using theory-driven and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Eleven themes emerged as risk and protective factors across three domains: child domain (i.e., school attendance and education, respect, routine, development), parent domain (i.e., role modelling, self-regulation of body, self-regulation of mind and emotions, parenting strategies), and context domain (i.e., connections to family and kinship, community, access to services). It is noteworthy that parents reported three super-ordinate intersecting themes across all domains: connection to culture, Country, and spirituality. In addition, Indigenous parents' and carers' conception of their own wellbeing is closely linked to their children's wellbeing, their lived community context, and expected personal indicators. In recognising and working with this holistic view of Indigenous parent wellbeing, parent support programs can be optimally designed and implemented in Indigenous communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind Ponnapalli
- Darling Downs Health, Queensland Health, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tarita Fisher
- Darling Downs Health, Queensland Health, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| | - Karen M. T. Turner
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Authoritative Parenting Style and Proactive Behaviors: Evidence from China? SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14063435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Parenting style plays an important role in children’s development. This study examines the influence mechanism of authoritative parenting style on individuals’ proactive behavior. We propose a chain mediation model for the linkage between authoritative parenting style and proactive behavior through self-esteem and growth mindset. Based on a survey of 388 undergraduate students in coastal areas of China, we find a significant positive impact of authoritative parenting style on college students’ proactive behavior. In addition, our study provides evidence of a chain mediation effect on the relation among authoritative parenting style, self-esteem, growth mindset, and proactive behavior. Our results suggest that under authoritative parenting, individuals can stimulate more proactive behaviors by improving their self-esteem and developing their growth mindset.
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Russell L, Gajwani R, Turner F, Minnis H. Gender, Addiction, and Removal of Children Into Care. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:887660. [PMID: 35722570 PMCID: PMC9201045 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.887660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parental addiction can result in harm to children and removal of children by the Local Authority. Less is known about the impact of removal of children on their parents and whether gender has a role in this process. METHODS Data on 736 service users were obtained from the caseloads of 8 nurses and 12 social care workers from an Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service in Scotland. Gender differences in prevalence/patterns of child removal, associations between child removal and parental factors and the relationship between removal and suicidality were examined. RESULTS Mothers were more likely to have had one or more children removed compared to fathers (56.6 vs. 17.7%; p < 0.001) and were more likely to have a series of individual child removals (22.5 vs. 4.3%; p = 0.014). In addition to female gender, younger age, drug use, mental health and suicide attempts were also associated with child removal. Mothers who had children removed and women who were not mothers were more likely to have made an attempt to end their lives than women who had children but had not had them removed. CONCLUSION Gender differences were apparent in prevalence and patterns of child removal. Mothers were six times more likely to have children removed compared to fathers. Child removal occurred alongside other risk factors suggesting that families need holistic support for their multiple areas of need. Services should be aware of the link between child removal and suicide and provide additional support to mothers during and after removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Russell
- Mental Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ruchika Gajwani
- Mental Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Turner
- Mental Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Minnis
- Mental Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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