Attachment and internalizing behavior in early childhood: A meta-analysis.

Abstract

Empirical research supporting the contention that insecure attachment is related to internalizing behaviors has been inconsistent. Across 60 studies including 5,236 families, we found a significant, small to medium effect size linking insecure attachment and internalizing behavior (observed d = .37, 95% CI [0.27, 0.46]; adjusted d = .19, 95% CI [0.09, 0.29]). Several moderator variables were associated with differences in effect size, including concurrent externalizing behavior, gender, how the disorganized category was treated, observation versus questionnaire measures of internalizing behavior, age of attachment assessment, time elapsed between attachment and internalizing measure, and year of publication. The association between avoidant attachment and internalizing behavior was also significant and small to moderate (d = .29, 95% CI [0.12, 0.45]). The effect sizes comparing resistant to secure attachment and resistant to avoidant attachment were not significant. In 20 studies with 2,679 families, we found a small effect size linking disorganized attachment and internalizing behavior (observed d = .20, 95% CI [0.09, 0.31]); however, the effect size was not significant when adjusted for probable publication bias (d = .12, 95% CI [-0.02, 0.23]). The existing literature supports the general notion that insecure attachment relationships in early life, particularly avoidant attachment, are associated with subsequent internalizing behaviors, although effect sizes are not strong.

Parenting Practices and the Development of Internalizing/ Externalizing Problems in Adolescence

“…On the other hand, internalizing behaviors refer to behavior problems that are inner-directed and over-controlled [5]. As such, they afect the individual's psychological world.…”

“…As such, they afect the individual's psychological world. Symptoms include social isolation, withdrawal, anxiety, and depression [5,6]. Nevertheless, as internalizing behavior problems are covert, and thus, do not disrupt the external environment, they often go unnoticed.…”

Using Semi-Projective Doll Play Methods to Classify Middle Childhood Children Into Four Attachment Types: Types Associations With Distinctive Psychosocial Adaptation

“…A meta-analysis by Madigan et al (2015) showed that avoidant children did not appear to show a greater tendency toward externalizing problems than did secure children. In contrast to the results concerning externalizing problems, meta-analyses by Groh, Roisman, Van IJzendoorn, Bakermans-Kraneneburg & Feron (2012) and by Madigan, Atkinson, Laurin & Benoit (2012) revealed no substantial correlations between disorganization and total internalizing problems. Both meta-analyses, however, showed that avoidant children having an increased tendency toward internalizing problems.…”

“…Furthermore, Bureau and Kerns (2010) found an association between ambivalent representations and some depression and anxiety responses in children, and a study by Madigan et al (2015) reported that the association between ambivalent and internalizing behavior problems was greater than the one between avoidant and internalizing problems. By contrast, studies by Groh et al (2012) and Madigan et al (2012) showed that ambivalence was not substantially correlated with internalizing indicators.…”

The role of length of maternity leave in supporting mother–child interactions and attachment security among American mothers and their infants

“…On the other hand, meta-analysis studies found that attachment insecurity predicts internalizing behaviors in early childhood (Madigan et al 2013), externalizing behaviors during childhood (Fearon et al 2010), and problem behaviors in late childhood (O'Connor et al 2012).…”