Risky sexual behaviors in adolescence continue to be a social problem that impacts individuals, families, and communities across the United States. Previous research showed that parents who actively talk with their adolescents about sex and intimacy topics reduce their likelihood of engaging in these behaviors. Still, less is known about what…

Background: Parenting is a primary mechanism through which children develop. Much is known about how parenting influences development over time; it is also critical to know what shapes specific aspects of parenting, particularly for families with higher socioeconomic risk. Objective: The current study examined how parenting stress, child behavior…

Parent-Toddler Movement Class (PTMC) is a structured dance curriculum that introduces movement to toddlers and caregivers. Using a qualitative methodological approach, the present study investigated how PTMCs supported the attachment of 27 caregiver-toddler dyads. The children ranged in age from two- to three-years-old and were students enrolled…

The foremost index of caregiving quality is child attachment, as supported by attachment theory. Research supports the relevance of early parenting interventions in improving child outcomes in attachment quality to promote public health because of their long-term effects on mental health and functioning. This study aimed at evaluating the impact…

Background: The feasibility and acceptability was explored of the newly-constructed Attachment Strengths and Needs Interview for parents of children with severe or profound intellectual disabilities. Method: A partially mixed methods approach (with focus on the quantitative data) was used to clarify parents' and professionals' viewpoints regarding…

A growing body of literature links particular parenting practices with attachment orientations in the Western societies. However, the effects of cultural differences on such linkages have not been adequately addressed in the literature on attachment. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between child-rearing behaviors and adult…

This study evaluated the effects of short-term manualized autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-modified "interaction therapy" (IT) for 42 parents, comprising both fathers and mothers of 21 preschoolers with ASD, while comparing father and mother outcomes. Intervention features included parents' focus on self-reflection and…

The study investigated association between attachment style of parents with a child diagnosed with Autism and mental health. A cross-sectional web-based survey collected data from 184 parents of individuals with autism. Findings from the study indicated association between an avoidant and anxious attachment style and mental health. Mainly, a link…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard military parents concerning their efforts to cultivate an environment of academic success for their children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Bowlby and Ainsworth's theory on attachment guided this…

The intensive Circle of Security intervention is an attachment-based program that utilises video feedback to support parents to understand and respond to their children's attachment needs. The original group format was developed into an individual protocol for flexible delivery and broad dissemination. This protocol, described elsewhere, has been…

Background: Attachment theory emphasizes that parents' responses to children's emotional distress might shape their ability to empathize with others. Previous research showed that securely attached preschoolers are prone to exhibiting more empathy towards others' distress compared to insecurely attached children, but less is known about the way…

Many children who enter the care system and are subsequently adopted have had exposure to a range of potentially traumatising experiences including domestic violence, abuse, neglect and loss of key caregivers. There are also an increasingly high number of adopted children presenting with the impact of intrauterine exposure to alcohol, drugs and…

Military deployments can necessitate prolonged family separations. The strain of separation is particularly acute for very young children and their parents. Reunions bring joy as well as challenges. The authors draw from their work with military families with young children to explore experiences of separating and reconnecting and the supports…

Partnering With Parents, an infant mental health (IMH) intervention program at Starfish Family Services (SFS), is dedicated to improving social-emotional outcomes, supporting wellness, and strengthening relationships between infants and families. Families served by SFS experience a myriad of societal, community, and relational stressors that can…

Three boys (an extremely preterm, a moderate preterm twin and a full-term toddler; all 12 to 15 months old) were selected from a large sample to investigate mechanisms of parent-child attachments, specifically of babies born preterm. Attachments were observed at home with the Attachment-Q-Sort (AQS) as well as in the lab with the Strange Situation…