Examining the Link Between Infant Attachment and Child Conduct Problems in Grade 1

Abstract

Abtract We examined the extent to which infant attachment status is directly related to child conduct problems 6 years later, and assessed the potential mediating roles of hostile parenting and maternal depression. The sample included 84 adolescent mothers and their children (45 girls, 39 boys). Infant attachment status was assessed using the Strange Situation when the study children were 1-year-old. Hostile parenting was coded during a parent-child interaction task when the study children were 4.5-years-old. Maternal depression was self-rated, also when the study children were 4.5-years-old, using the Beck Depression Inventory. Mothers reported child conduct problems at Grade 1 on the Child Behavior Checklist. Infant attachment status at 1 year of age was directly related to child conduct problems but not to hostile parenting or maternal depression. Neither hostile parenting nor maternal depression mediated the relationship between infant attachment status and child conduct problems. However, the pattern of relations differed by attachment security. For securely attached children, maternal depression, but not hostile parenting, was directly related to conduct problems. For insecurely attached children, hostile parenting, but not maternal depression, was directly related to child conduct problems. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed.

Childbearing Depression and Childhood Aggression

“…Maternal irritability and intolerance are some other symptoms of CBD and have been found to contribute to hostile parenting (Vando, Rhule-Louie, McMahon, & Spieker, 2008). These parental behaviors are collectively termed as authoritarian or intrusive parenting.…”

“…Unsurprisingly, maternal irritability, maternal intolerance, and hostile parenting have been associated with insecure parent-child relationships and childhood aggression. Child conduct problems have been directly associated with parental hostile behavior in insecurely attached children and with maternal depression in securely attached children (Vando et al, 2008). In contrast, a study by Marchand, Hock, and Widaman (2002) found a difference that depended only in the age of the child.…”

The Over-Representation of Children in Care in the Youth Criminal Justice System in British Columbia: Theory and Policy Issues

“…However, residential mobility may partially explain the impact of placement instability since adolescents in general exhibit higher rates of violent behaviour and are at an increased likelihood of associating with antisocial peers (Haynie & South, 2005). This relationship has been linked to disruptions in parent-child bonding and resultant negative attachment styles associated with antisocial behaviour (Ainsworth, 1969(Ainsworth, , 1991Bowlby, 1951Bowlby, , 1969Bowlby, , 1973Moretti & Peled, 2004;Vando, Rhule-Louie, McMahon, & Spieker, 2008).…”

Trajectories of Adolescent Mother–Grandmother Psychological Conflict During Early Parenting and Children's Problem Behaviors at Age 7

“…Adolescent mothers are more likely than adult mothers to report temperament problems with their children (Whitman, Borkowski, Keogh, & Weed, 2001). In addition, children of adolescent mothers are at risk for internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors (Black et al, 2002; Coley & Chase-Lansdale, 1998; Vando, Rhule-Louie, McMahon, & Spieker, 2008). For example, within a longitudinal sample of adolescent mothers, 60% of children were classified as having diffi-cult temperaments by 6 months of age (Whitman et al, 2001).…”