S.C. Mangelsdorf

Observed and Reported Supportive Coparenting as Predictors of Infant-Mother and Infant-Father Attachment Security

This study examined associations between supportive coparenting and infant–mother and infant–father attachment security. Observed and parent‐reported coparenting, and observed maternal and paternal sensitivity were assessed in a sample of 68 families with 3.5‐month‐old infants. Infant–mother and infant–father attachment security were assessed in the Strange Situation Procedure at 12 and 13 months of age, respectively. Observed and reported supportive coparenting were associated with greater attachment security in the infant–father, but not the infant–mother, attachment relationship. The link between observed coparenting and infant–father attachment remained after accounting for paternal sensitivity. Furthermore, child gender moderated some associations between coparenting and infant–parent attachment security. Amongst families with boys, observed and reported supportive coparenting were related to greater infant–mother and infant–father attachment security, respectively. Coparenting was unrelated to infant–mother or infant–father attachment security amongst families with girls. Results highlight a possible link between the coparental and father–child relationships and the need to consider both parent and child gender when examining associations between family functioning and attachment.

Trajectories of couple relationship satisfaction in families with infants The roles of parent gender, personality, and depression in first-time and experienced parents

This study examined trajectories of relationship satisfaction for couples (n = 99) who had recently experienced the birth of an infant, and further examined the roles of parent gender, personality, depression, and first-time parent status in initial levels of relationship satisfaction and change over time. Expectant parents reported their personalities during the third trimester of pregnancy, and relationship satisfaction and depression during the third trimester and at 3.5 and 13 months postpartum. Hierarchical Linear Modeling analyses indicated that individuals who were initially more satisfied in their relationships were those whose partners were low in negative emotionality. In addition, first-time fathers had higher initial relationship satisfaction than non-first-time fathers, but experienced fathers had higher initial relationship satisfaction when their partners had greater agency. Declines in relationship satisfaction were more pronounced for mothers and those with higher levels of depressive symptoms across the transition.

Structure of reflective functioning and adult attachment scales: overlap and distinctions

ABSTRACT This investigation examined the structure of reflective functioning (RF) – an understanding of the links between mental states and behaviors – and adult attachment scales. Both RF and traditional adult attachment scales were coded based on 194 prebirth Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI). Correlational and factor analyses indicated considerable overlap between RF and traditional AAI coding. Exploratory factor analyses of RF and AAI state-of-mind scales indicated that RF loaded, along with coherence of mind, on the primary factor distinguishing between individuals categorized as secure and dismissing. These findings indicate substantial overlap between RF and AAI scales; however, the magnitude of the correlations between these scales indicates that they are not redundant.