This study examined early observed parenting and child-care experiences in relation to functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis over the long term. Consistent with the attenuation hypothesis, individuals (n = 863) who experienced: (a) higher levels of maternal insensitivity and (b) more time in child-care centers in the first…

The contributions of temperamentally and nontemperamentally based emotional reactions to the organization of social interactive behavior within the Strange Situation are examined for the purpose of bettering the understanding of the emotional underpinnings of attachment system functioning. At 12 1/2 and 19 1/2 months, temperamental fear was…

Studies the interactional behavior between 64 mothers and their children aged two-four in relation to the mothers' internal models of relationships and select child characteristics. The results indicated that children's behavioral and developmental status and mothers' internal models were associated with dyadic behavior. (RJC)

Examined patterns of correlations among selected parental, contextual, and child characteristics accounting for variance in observed quality of parent-infant interaction and infant development with 15-month-olds and their families. Found that parental ego-resiliency and education, partner support, and infant social fearfulness explained…

Provides an evolutionary account of the human affectional system. Warmth is conceptualized as a reward system which evolved to facilitate cohesive family relationships and paternal investment in children. Warmth must be distinguished from security of attachment. Relationships based on warmth can coexist with relationships based on exploitation.…