The relation of early attachment with kindergarten social preference : an examination of intervening relational and behavioral processes

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Angelea Christine Balentine (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Susan P. Keane

Abstract: "There has been little investigation of the relational and behavioral mechanisms that explain the association between early attachment security and later peer outcomes. The present study longitudinally examined the child characteristics of emotional competence, prosocial behaviors and disruptive behaviors as potential intervening processes. In addition, these relational and behavioral processes were investigated within the context of ongoing mother-child interactions. The study examined 165 boys and girls at ages two, four, and five. Mothers completed the Attachment Q-sort (Waters, 1987) when the children were two. At age four, preschool teachers completed behavioral questionnaires. Measures of maternal positive and controlling behaviors and child noncompliance were also obtained during laboratory observations. At age five, classmates made sociometric nominations to determine social preference. A multiple mediation model was tested, and the joint effect of emotional competence, prosocial behaviors, and disruptive behaviors mediated the relation of attachment security and kindergarten social preference. Mediation of the attachment-social preference relation by the child characteristics was moderated by maternal behaviors, particularly maternal control. The findings suggest that early attachment history fosters the development of certain child behavioral and relational competencies. The interaction of these child characteristics with particular maternal behaviors over time explains the relation of attachment security to later peer outcomes."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2007
Keywords
child, relational, behavioral, mechanisms, attachment, security, outcomes, emotional competence
Subjects
Kindergarten--Social aspects
Mother and child--Psychological aspects
Attachment behavior in children
Preschool children--Psychology

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