This paper examines the role of internal working models in the development of parent-child relationships. Mental representations of child attachment, adult attachment, and parental caregiving are reviewed in light of adaptational deficits often associated with attachment insecurity. A reconceptualization of the link between insecurity and child…

Three studies explored the connection between attachment and peer-related representations among children from preschool age through grade five. Found that children secure in their attachment to their parents had more positive peer feelings than did insecure children, and greater perceived rejection by both mothers and fathers was associated with…

Fixation on deviance and deficit in children with emotional/behavioral problems fosters greater alienation. Native American empowerment values show a better way: significance is nurtured in a community celebrating belonging; competence is ensured by giving all opportunities for mastery; power is available to all by cultivating independence; and…

Aspects of intimacy and satisfaction were explored for a volunteer sample of 54 Mexican American and 30 Anglo-American married couples. Data were collected by questionnaire through network sampling. Partner similarity was evident in all three groups, and marital satisfaction was best predicted for all groups by passionate love scores. (FC)

The Haifa Study of Early Child Care examined the unique contribution of various child-care-related correlates to infant-mother attachment. Findings indicated that, after controlling for other potential contributing variables (including mother characteristics, mother-child interaction, and mother- father relationship), center care adversely…

Recent research on temperament and attachment theory highlights the importance of early intervention to helping children develop secure attachments and prevent mental illnesses. A mental illness curriculum for nursing students should integrate concepts from psychiatry and public health to prepare community-based for participation in intervention.…

Uses quantitative and qualitative research methods to evaluate the impact of the bonding and catharsis segment of a measure of intimate relationship skills. Results suggest that the segment can lead to significant improvements in marital adjustment, cohesion, self-esteem, and anxiety levels. Explores differences in changes for males and females.…

Investigated development of face-to-face communication in infants between 1 and 14 weeks old and their mothers. Found a curvilinear development of early face-to-face communication, with increases occurring between weeks 4 and 9. When placed on a sofa, infants' face-to-face communication was longer than when they were held. Girls spent a longer…

Of 1,805 early retirees, 40% returned to work (17% full time, 51% part time, 32% self employed). Return was positively related to work attachment and tenure at last job. Clerical workers were less likely than managers to choose part-time work over retirement. Lateral mobility and high work attachment were negatively related to postretirement…

Study serves as an exploratory analysis of how engagement in community service activities among college students is affected by significant attachment relationships. The findings revealed that students who had some community service experience evidenced more secure attachments to close personal friends while their attachments to parents were…

Attachment theory is used as the theoretical base to understand the impact that rejection of relationship connections can have on the development of gay and lesbian adolescents. Developmental challenges for gay and lesbian youth are addressed as are the frequent failure of families and schools to provide continuity of secure caregiving to these…

Examined use of aggressive behaviors in adolescent romantic relationships, the endorsement of attitudes that promote such behaviors, and the extent to which attachment and emotional styles are related to these behaviors and styles in 254 high school students. As expected, girls were somewhat more likely to report being the perpetrator of physical…

Summarizes studies of school environmental factors associated with student drug use and prevention. Major factors that emerge are school supportiveness, sense of community, and opportunities for students to interact and to exert influence. A common conclusion seems to be that a supportive environment increases students' attachment to school and…

Investigated attachment security and behavior in 34 physically disabled infants and 26 non-disabled infants using convergent, categorical, and continuous (Attachment Behavior Q-Set) measures of relationship, based on the same set of home observations. Proportions of attachment classifications were identical for each group, but insecure disabled…

Examined factors thought to be related to adolescent suicidal ideation: absence or disruption of interpersonal attachments, conviction of personal helplessness, and sense of hopelessness. Found nearly 61 percent of 191 college students to have some suicidal ideation. Low- and moderate- to high-level ideators reported poorer parent relationships…