Early child-parent attachment affects boys' behavior

Early child-parent attachment affects behavior, especially for boys | ScienceBlog.com

According to attachment theory, children with secure attachments have repeated experiences with caregivers who are responsive to their needs and thus expect their caregivers to be available and comforting when called upon.

In contrast, children with insecure attachments have experiences in which requests are discouraged, rejected, or responded to inconsistently, which is thought to make them vulnerable to developing behavioural problems.

The researchers sought to clarify the extent to which bonds between children and their mothers early in life affect children's later behavioural problems, such as aggression or hostility; behaviour problems were measured up to age 12.

The studies included in their review used a range of methods for assessing children's behaviour problems, including parent and teacher questionnaires and direct observations.

"The results suggest that the effects of attachment are reliable and relatively persistent over time," notes Pasco Fearon, associate professor of psychology at the University of Reading, who was the study's lead author.

"More specifically, children who seem unable to maintain a coherent strategy for coping with separation (separation anxiety) are at greatest risk for later behaviour problems and aggression."