Catherine Gosselin

Attachment and teacher-reported behavior problems during the preschool and early school-age period

The association between attachment and behavior problems was examined for a nonclinical, diverse sociocconomic status (SES) French-Canadian sample of 77 children. Attachment classifications were assigned on the basis of reunion behavior with mother when the children were between 5 and 7 years of age. Teachers rated childrens problem behavior using the Socioaffective Profile within 3 months of the attachment assessment (Time 2) and 2 years earlier (Time 1). Results indicated that children with a D classification were more likely than secures or other insecure groups (A or C) to be classified in the problem group at both ages. A majority (80%) of the D group showed problem behavior at some point during the 3–7 year period compared with a minority of A, B, or C children. However, only about 30% of controlling children (like other insecures) had stable problems. Analyses of subclinical scores showed that both controlling and avoidant groups were lower than secures in social competence at Time 1. At Time 2, A group children were lower in externalizing behavior, and C group children were higher. These results extend the association between the D classification and maladaptation previously found for clinical and high-risk samples to a nonclinical, mixed SES sample.

From mother-regulated to child-regulated joint planning activity : A look at familial adversity and attachment

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine how the quality of mother–child attachment and the level of familial adversity are related to differences in mother-child joint planning during the preschool period. Ninety-one 4- to 7-year-olds and their mothers participated in an errand-planning task. Four patterns of responsibility sharing in task resolution were compared as a function of attachment, level of familial adversity, and complexity of planning operations. Results indicated a familial adversity main effect with regard to observed patterns of responsibility sharing for global planning, with dyads from the high adversity group less likely to use these strategies. A significant main effect of attachment and a moderator effect were also found for patterns of responsibility sharing with respect to local planning. Taken together, these effects suggest that attachment security provides a better context for child participation in local planning operations within low adversity families. Findings highlight the relevance of examining the social context of parenting and suggest that educational strategies differ as a function of the larger social and economic context of family life.

Fonction des comportements parentaux: révision de la notion de sensibilité maternelle

O papel exercido pela mae na adaptacao da crianca e os cuidados maternos dispensados a ela durante a infância sao aspectos centrais para a teoria do apego. Embora os estudos empiricos mostrem uma associacao entre o apego seguro e o desenvolvimento de competencias na crianca, os dados sobre a continuidade da funcao parental para alem do periodo da infância sao, ainda, raros. Visando uma melhor compreensao da continuidade do papel de protecao parental no desenvolvimento da crianca, este artigo teorico apresenta uma revisao do conceito de sensibilidade materna que integra a nocao de regulacao de objetivos pessoais, sociais e empaticos. A revisao efetuada e baseada na teoria do apego desenvolvida por John Bowlby, no conceito de sensibilidade materna de Mary Ainsworth e no modelo de regulacao de objetivos parentais de Theodore Dix.The role of the mother on child adaptation and maternal care during infancy are central to the theory of attachment. Although, numerous studies have shown an association between security of attachment and child development of competencies, data on the continuity of parental function after infancy are rather scant. For a better understanding of the enduring role of parental protection on child development, I propose a revision of the concept of maternal sensitivity that integrate the notion of empathic, social and personal goal regulation. This revision is based upon Bowlbys attachment theory, Ainsworths maternal sensitivity concept, and Dixs model of maternal goal regulation.

Function of parental behaviours: review of the concept of maternal sensitivity

O papel exercido pela mae na adaptacao da crianca e os cuidados maternos dispensados a ela durante a infância sao aspectos centrais para a teoria do apego. Embora os estudos empiricos mostrem uma associacao entre o apego seguro e o desenvolvimento de competencias na crianca, os dados sobre a continuidade da funcao parental para alem do periodo da infância sao, ainda, raros. Visando uma melhor compreensao da continuidade do papel de protecao parental no desenvolvimento da crianca, este artigo teorico apresenta uma revisao do conceito de sensibilidade materna que integra a nocao de regulacao de objetivos pessoais, sociais e empaticos. A revisao efetuada e baseada na teoria do apego desenvolvida por John Bowlby, no conceito de sensibilidade materna de Mary Ainsworth e no modelo de regulacao de objetivos parentais de Theodore Dix.The role of the mother on child adaptation and maternal care during infancy are central to the theory of attachment. Although, numerous studies have shown an association between security of attachment and child development of competencies, data on the continuity of parental function after infancy are rather scant. For a better understanding of the enduring role of parental protection on child development, I propose a revision of the concept of maternal sensitivity that integrate the notion of empathic, social and personal goal regulation. This revision is based upon Bowlbys attachment theory, Ainsworths maternal sensitivity concept, and Dixs model of maternal goal regulation.

Função dos comportamentos parentais: revisão do conceito de sensibilidade materna

O papel exercido pela mae na adaptacao da crianca e os cuidados maternos dispensados a ela durante a infância sao aspectos centrais para a teoria do apego. Embora os estudos empiricos mostrem uma associacao entre o apego seguro e o desenvolvimento de competencias na crianca, os dados sobre a continuidade da funcao parental para alem do periodo da infância sao, ainda, raros. Visando uma melhor compreensao da continuidade do papel de protecao parental no desenvolvimento da crianca, este artigo teorico apresenta uma revisao do conceito de sensibilidade materna que integra a nocao de regulacao de objetivos pessoais, sociais e empaticos. A revisao efetuada e baseada na teoria do apego desenvolvida por John Bowlby, no conceito de sensibilidade materna de Mary Ainsworth e no modelo de regulacao de objetivos parentais de Theodore Dix.The role of the mother on child adaptation and maternal care during infancy are central to the theory of attachment. Although, numerous studies have shown an association between security of attachment and child development of competencies, data on the continuity of parental function after infancy are rather scant. For a better understanding of the enduring role of parental protection on child development, I propose a revision of the concept of maternal sensitivity that integrate the notion of empathic, social and personal goal regulation. This revision is based upon Bowlbys attachment theory, Ainsworths maternal sensitivity concept, and Dixs model of maternal goal regulation.