Assessed 26 lesbian couples' division of labor, their satisfaction with division of labor and their relationships, and their children's psychosocial adjustment. Found that parents were more satisfied and children were more well adjusted when the labor involved in child care was more evenly distributed between parents. (MDM)

Suggests that medical advisors may be an important resource for adoptive parents seeking to understand their child's behavior. Examines the effects of the child's past--problems such as loss, poor attachment, or abuse--and how the child and new family adjust. (TJQ)

Assessed maternal sensitivity and infants' attachment behavior to test validity of a system of classifying attachment relationships at home. Subjects were 47 mothers of preterm and 42 mothers of full-term infants. Results reaffirm Ainsworth's conceptualization of distinct attachment relationships. (HTH)

Examined association between sibling relationships and developmental outcomes in 25 preschool foster children placed with older siblings. Found some association, though inconsistent, between quality of the relationship and child behavior problems and verbal ability. Results suggest the complexity of high-risk sibling relationships and its impact…

Associations among adolescent attachment organization, maternal sensitivity, and infant attachment organization were examined prospectively in 72 teenaged mother-infant dyads. Pregnant teenagers' attachment organizations predicted both sensitivity and infant-mother attachments. Associations between maternal sensitivity and infant attachment were…

This essay reviews research on mother-infant roles during early interactions and how these serve to foster the development of infant emotion regulation. It provides illustrations of the ways in which physical unavailability (resulting from hospitalization or other separation) and emotional unavailability (resulting from mental illnesses such as…

Female clients (n=76) at 4 university and community agencies completed surveys containing questionnaires concerning parental bonding, self-efficacy, adult attachment, and working alliance. Results indicated that parental bonds, especially with fathers, were significantly associated with social competencies, although working alliance was negatively…

Examined the connection between maternal working models, marital adjustment, and parent-child relationship among 45 mothers and their 16- to 62-month-old children. Found that maternal working models were related to the quality of mother-child interactions and child security, as well as a significant relationship between marital adjustment and…

Two case studies illustrate the fact that even toddlers and preschoolers who never knew their father think and have feelings about the absent father. Considers the ways in which mothers, teachers, and child caregivers can respect these thoughts and feelings. (BB)

Surveyed 97 adults self-identified as coming from dysfunctional families. Although level of family dysfunction was generally high, no significant differences were observed between adult children of alcoholics and adults from families whose dysfunction was not due to substance abuse. Degree of family dysfunction was significantly associated with…

Examined relationship of current parental attachment to symptoms of psychological distress and satisfaction in romantic relationships among 157 undergraduate students. Current parental attachment was found to be significantly associated with psychological distress. No such association was found between parental attachment and relationship…

Used projective techniques to examine trends in the psychic state of juvenile delinquents. Found that delinquents showed greater signs of psychopathology than a normal control group. Those tested in 1981-84 displayed depression and identity diffusion, in contrast to those tested in 1990-98, who showed dissolution anxiety, lack of attachment…

Describes the levels of second-generation Korean-American adolescents' (n=approximately 237) cultural, social, and psychological dimensions of attachment and examines the major factors highly correlated with two of the dimensions of ethnic attachment: use of the Korean language and Korean friendships. Findings support the view that high levels of…

A study explored 97 college freshmen's perceived stress and persistence as a function of attachment style. Students with secure attachment reported significantly less perceived stress than those with insecure attachment. Fewer students with secure attachment quit college than did students with insecure attachment. Stress scores and grade point…

Examined mothers' representations of their relationship with toddler sons over a 13-month period. Found that the three factors characterizing mothers' representations for 15-month olds also fit data for 28-month olds. Found significant increases in anger but no changes in joy, pleasure, coherence, guilt, and separation distress. Changes in…