This study examined the role of parenting practices on preschoolers' secure exploratory behaviors; specifically, the extent to which parenting practices mediate the relationship between socio-economic status, perceived neighborhood support, parental depression and children's exploratory behaviors. The participants (n = 3268) were parents of young…

Attachment theorists have long recognized that multiple attachments characterize the typical experience of most children. But an appreciation of attachment networks is new, and this commentary draws on some of the most theoretically provocative themes of the contributions to this special issue. These include: how the quality of attachment…

We examined the prototype v. revisionist models of attachment stability with a five-wave, 6-year, longitudinal study of attachment security from middle childhood to adolescence in a White Western European sample (N = 157; Wave 1 M[subscript age] = 10.91, SD = 0.87; 52% female). Attachment was assessed using both questionnaire (Experiences in Close…

This comment on the Special Issue contributions regarding the attachment network addresses the clinical implications of the findings from three perspectives: (1) the need to look beyond maternal influences on child developmental outcomes; (2) to be open to every seemingly peripheral influence on the child as this may have a central impact on the…

Experiences of war and displacement can have profound effects on children's affective development and mental health, although the mechanism(s) underlying these effects remain unknown. This study investigated the link between early adversity and attention to affective stimuli using a free-viewing eye-tracking paradigm with Syrian refugee (n = 31,…

Latent growth curve modeling was used to investigate the longitudinal link between attachment, effortful control (EC), and maladaptive development during middle childhood. In a community sample, children (Time 1: n = 157; M[subscript age] = 10.91) and their mothers were examined three times over a two-year period. Attachment was operationalized at…

Fathers in families with childhood disability have an important role in fostering coping and resilience in children. Insight into men's thoughts about fathering is necessary to provide family-centered interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore men's experience of being a father in families with childhood disability. Qualitative…

There is strong evidence that children of mothers with insecure attachment styles have poor outcome trajectories. "Maternal sensitivity" may be the behaviour which links mother and child attachment models. This would, therefore, be a natural target for treatment in attachment interventions. A systematic literature review was conducted to…

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to identify and critically appraise empirical research regarding attachment theory among adults with an intellectual disability. Method: A systematic search was carried out in Psycinfo and CINHAL databases. Only five studies met selection criteria. Results: Three main findings were identified: (1)…

Psychologists caution that the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate already existing mental health challenges -- warning that we may see more depression and anxiety in children due to fears about their health and that of their families, exposure to negative messages from the media, social isolation, and family financial issues due to economic…

It is suggested that dependent teacher-child relationships are associated with emotional insecurity and a lack of autonomous exploration that interferes with children's school development. This might be especially observed among children with attachment problems who may have developed a profound sense of insecurity in relationships with others. In…

Early childhood education (ECE) conflict zones face profound challenges that undermine children's cognitive, emotional, and social development. Armed conflicts disrupt access to education through displacement, infrastructure destruction, and insecurity, leaving millions of children without safe learning environments (UNICEF, 2023). This report…

Imagine the complex factors that influence a child's opportunities in life set on either side of an old-fashioned scale. The teeter-totter of each child's scale can be influenced by parents, schools, communities and, in many ways, public policies. Positive experiences and influences--a loving and nurturing caregiver, a safe and stable place to…

A pioneer in the infant/family field in the United States, Magda Gerber was the founding director of Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), known for its unique two-generation approach to the care and education of young children. This paper offers a summary of Gerber's teachings from the late twentieth century with citations pointing to their…

The present study examines language impact on anxiety in at-risk children deprived of parental care. Bulgarian children without parents (n=40) divided into 3 age groups (aged 7-10; aged 11-14; and aged 15-17) embed intervention accomplished by four volunteers using four interaction strategies: normal voice and positive language; high tone and…