Illene C. Noppe

The context of infant attachment in family child care

Abstract An exploratory study of attachment security with family child care providers was conducted with 41 toddlers (age 12–19 months). Temporal stability of caregiver–child attachment security was assessed using the Attachment Q-Set, observing each dyad on two occasions, 1 to 2 weeks apart. Contextual correlates of child care provider attachment were also examined, including infant and family background characteristics, infant–provider interactive involvement, quality of the parent–provider relationship, provider characteristics and working conditions, and aspects of child care quality. Attachment Q-Set security and infant–provider interactive involvement were found to be stable over time. Correlations and path analyses revealed that significant direct predictors of attachment security were the level of infant–provider interactive involvement, family socioeconomic status, and overall child care quality. Significant indirect predictors of attachment security (mediated through infant–provider interactive involvement) were child care group size, number of months with the provider, and age at entry into child care.

EVOLVING MEANINGS OF DEATH DURING EARLY, MIDDLE, AND LATER ADOLESCENCE

The relationships among death conceptions, death experiences, patterns of parent and peer attachment, and risk-taking behaviors in adolescents were examined in an effort to construct a revised notion of the meaning of death at different points in adolescent development. Students (N = 95) from middle schools, a high school, and a university were assessed with the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, a 10-item open-ended death conception questionnaire, and a demographic and death attitude survey. Results indicated that death experiences, discussions about death, belief in noncorporeal continuation (some form of life or energy after physical death), and parent attachments appear to increase during the course of adolescence. Parent attachment was found to be inversely associated with death experiences, conversations about death, and risk-taking behavior. Other findings are discussed with regard to the dialectical tensions of this phase of development; portraits of the early, middle, and later years of adolescence; and the notion of reconceptualizing the ideas of adolescents as cognitive death schema.

College student bereavement experience in a Christian university.

As part of the National College Grief Study, college student bereavement experience was examined specifically in a Christian university climate. Sex, year in school, and closeness to the deceased were measured in terms of academic and mental health outcomes and resources utilized. Females reported more mental health problems when close to the deceased, and seniors were less likely than first year students to utilize personal support resources of family and religion. During close losses, students experienced more mental health problems and negative social outcomes, but they did not access more resources. Recommendations for university personnel and suggestions for further research are given.

Terrorism and resilience: adolescents' and teachers' responses to September 11, 2001

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of terrorism on adolescents, who may be resolving developmental issues regarding their vulnerability to death. Approximately 4 months after the September 11th attacks, a survey was given to 973 Upper Midwest adolescents and teachers. Quantitative analyses indicated that adolescents (especially girls) were frightened and upset but also used many coping strategies. Qualitative analyses suggested that adolescents were angry as well as tired of hearing about the events. Teachers discussed the attacks historical significance, student safety, and a desire to resume “normalcy.” Adolescence resilience was seen by the making of a coherent narrative of September 11th and by focusing on their daily living.