Diana D. Coyl

Fathers’ role as attachment figures: an interview with Sir Richard Bowlby

Sir Richard Bowlby, son of John Bowlby, has carried on his father’s work by lecturing and writing on the topic of attachment theory. He has initiated and maintained international connections with researchers, practitioners and agencies in the field of child development, and has produced training videos to more widely disseminate information about attachment theory to professionals working with children and families. In this interview, conducted in London in February of 2009, Richard responded to questions regarding the father’s role as an attachment figure, highlighting new theoretical directions and current research. He also addressed cultural influences on fathering and attachment, and offered suggestions for researchers and practitioners.

New directions in father attachment

Taylor and Francis GECD_A_441642.sgm 10.1080/03004430903414646 E rly Childhood Development and Care 0300-4430 (pri t)/1476-8275 (o line) Original Article 2 1 & Francis 8 00Janu ry 20 0 This collection of studies, representing 15 empirical and theoretical reports from researchers and practitioners in eight countries, is the first of its kind to be organised around the singular theme of attachment to fathers. Reports are organised within two primary strands: (1) the conceptualisation and measurement of the child–father relationship in infancy and early childhood, with a particular focus on attachment processes, and (2) the examination of predictors and outcomes of child–father attachment within an array of systems, from individual to family to community settings. We provide a brief theoretical overview for each strand followed by an introduction to the reports included in each section.

Predicting preschoolers’ attachment security from parenting behaviours, parents’ attachment relationships and their use of social support

Associations between preschoolers’ attachment security, parenting behaviours (i.e. parent–child involvement, parenting consistency and co‐parenting consistency) and parenting context (i.e. parents’ internal working models (IWMs) and use of social support) were examined in a sample of 235 culturally diverse families. The authors predicted that parenting behaviours would mediate associations between children’s attachment security and less proximal parenting context. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires regarding their parenting behaviours, IWMs of adult relationships, their use of social support and an attachment Q‐List to assess their children’s attachment security. Parenting behaviours mediated the relationship between parenting context and children’s attachment security. Findings support an ecological view of children’s attachment security within a multilayered system.

Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing in Relation to Infant Adoption in the United States.

ABSTRACT Approximately 80% of teen pregnancies in the United States are unintended at conception and about 75% of teen births are nonmarital. Given their unintended pregnancy and nonmarital parenting situations, a large proportion of adolescent parents might be expected to place infants for adoption. This paper summarizes trends and recent declines in adolescent pregnancy, abortion, and adoption relin-quishment. Research findings regarding adolescent pregnancy resolution decision-making also are reviewed. Contextual factors are discussed, such as personal attitudes and socialization about abortion, parenting, and adoption, and the influence of significant others (parents and partners), that increase or decrease the likelihood of teen parents choosing adoption. Historical trends and contemporary patterns indicate that the relinquishment of infants for adoption probably will remain at very low levels in the near future.

Fathers and Their Adolescent Sons Pubertal Development and Paternal Involvement

This study examined perceptions of paternal involvement among adolescent males and their fathers across three levels of the adolescent’s pubertal development. A purposive sample of adolescent males (n = 173) and their fathers (n = 122) completed self-report measures of pubertal development (adolescent’s self ratings, fathers’ ratings of their son’s development), paternal support, and involvement. Fathers and sons were similar in their assessments of the sons’ pubertal development. Perceptions of Companionship, General Support, Satisfaction, Sustained Contact, and Time Together did not differ across three levels of development (pre-, transitional-, and post-pubertal development). Physical Affection was the only measure of paternal involvement that differed (decreased) across the three levels of pubertal development. These findings suggest that fathers’ involvement with their adolescent sons is not globally affected by pubertal development.