Child–father and child–mother attachment relationships in naturalistic settings

Bibliographic Data

ID9646154
AuthorsJill M Trumbell (0000-0002-1282-8492, University of new Hampshire , Durham, New Hampshire ,, corresponding author), German Posada (Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana ,), Laura Anaya (Start Early , Chicago, Illinois), Geurim Kim (Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana ,), Muqing Liu (0000-0001-6057-4960, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana ,)
Year2025
Volume96
Issue1
Pages375-388
Publication date2025-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChild Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0009-3920 • E-ISSN: 1467-8624
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/cdev.14173
PMID39359133
OpenAlexW4403109628
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited40

This study examines paternal and maternal sensitivity as predictors of toddlers' attachment security in two naturalistic contexts. Seventy-three mostly White middle-class families participated between 2015 and 2019 when children (49.3% girls) were approximately 29.48 months old. Each child–parent dyad completed a home and playground visit. Findings revealed paternal and maternal sensitivity were significantly associated at home and marginally at the playground. Paternal sensitivity was only predictive of security to the father at the playground, showing a medium effect, while small effects of maternal sensitivity on security to the mother were found in both contexts. Cross-parent contributions to security were small and limited to the playground. The need to consider the greater ecology of child–parent relationships and suggestions for larger-scale research are discussed

Developmental psychology · Dyad · Maternal sensitivity · Naturalistic observation · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology

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