Amy Susman-Stillman

Dissociation as a mediator of child abuse across generations

To test the hypothesis that dissociative process is the mechanism that accounts for the transmission of maltreatment across generations, a group of mothers who were abused and maltreated their children were compared to a group of mothers who broke the cycle of abuse. Mothers who were abused and are abusing their children were rated higher on idealization, inconsistency, and escapism in their description of their childhood and they scored higher on the Dissociative Experience Scale compared to mothers who broke the cycle. Mothers who were abused and abused their children recalled the care they received as children in a fragmented and disconnected fashion whereas those who broke the cycle integrated their abusive experience into a more coherent view of self. Even after partialing out the effects of IQ, large differences were found indicating that dissociative process plays a part in the transmission of maltreatment across generations. Possible reasons why some maltreated individuals coped with the trauma by dissociating and others integrate the experience were discussed.

Infant temperament and maternal sensitivity as predictors of attachment security

Abstract This study investigated contributions of infant irritability, sociability, and maternal sensitivity to attachment security in a high-risk sample. Moderator, mediator, and additive models tested hypotheses that maternal sensitivity determines security and that temperament influences type of insecurity and subcategory placement. Composite measures of temperament and observational ratings of maternal sensitivity at 0–3 and 6 months predicted 12-month attachment classifications and subcategory placement. Interaction of 3-month maternal sensitivity and infant irritability predicted security (moderator model). Six-month sensitivity independently predicted security (additive model) and mediated the relation between irritability and security (mediator model). Maternal sensitivity distinguished secure and insecure infants. Three- and 6-month temperament independently predicted type of insecurity and subcategory placement. An integrative conceptualization of attachment and temperament is supported.

Treatment Fidelity Challenges in a Five-State Consultation Study

Consultation is a promising approach to creating change in early childhood programs, from innovations in instructional strategies to the enhancement of global program quality. Studies of consultation effectiveness have been hampered by limited reports of implementation fidelity related to consultation procedures. This article describes the challenges of supporting and measuring implementation fidelity in a 5-state study in which community consultants followed a collaborative consultation model to enhance global quality in childcare programs. The authors consider the limitations of using a randomized experimental design to study the effectiveness of consultation and share lessons learned in their efforts to enhance treatment fidelity without compromising the basic tenets of the model or the rigorous design.

Understanding Barriers and Solutions Affecting Preschool Attendance in Low-Income Families

ABSTRACT Preschool attendance problems negatively impact childrens school readiness skills and future school attendance. Parents are critical to preschoolers’ attendance. This study explored parental barriers and solutions to preschool attendance in low-income families. School-district administrative data from a racially/ethnically diverse sample of parents with children attending the districts half-day preschool program were obtained (N = 111). Subsamples of parents participated in a phone interview and follow-up, in-person interview. Parents valued early learning and preschool. Children missed school due to illness, problems with child care, transportation, and family life. Differences in attendance rates appeared by school, family demographics, and race/ethnicity. African-Americans and Hispanics experienced more barriers than Whites and Asians, and were more likely to miss school because of illness and medical appointments. Hispanics were more likely to miss for vacation. Parents noted a lack of social connection with other parents in the school/neighborhood, making seeking help to resolve attendance barriers difficult.