Secure base script content explains the association between attachment avoidance and emotion ‐related constructs in parents of young children

This study examines the associations between attachment avoidance and SBS content when parents recall a positive moment of connection between themselves and their children (relational savoring) as well as their association with parental emotion and reflective functioning (RF). Using a sample of parents (N = 155, 92% female) of young children (53% boys, Mage = 12.76 months), we found that parental attachment avoidance is inversely associated with SBS content during relational savoring, and that SBS content is an indirect effect explaining the association between attachment avoidance and postsavoring (positive and negative) emotion as well as avoidance and poststressor RF. Findings have implications for understanding attachment and parenting.

Source: Infant Mental Health Journal - February 14, 2017 Category: Child Development Authors: Jessica L. Borelli, Margaret L. Burkhart, Hannah F. Rasmussen, Robin Brody, David A. Sbarra Tags: ARTICLE Source Type: research