Developmental psychologist Ainsworth discusses early influences on her work in attachment theory; similarities and differences in attachment behaviors across cultures; construction of assessments and research designs; individual differences in attachment and maternal support; and the influence of early relationships on later ones. (HTH)

This article presents an early intervention model for infants who are deaf-blind that focuses on the significance of infant-caregiver interaction. It proposes intervention strategies to develop contingent responsiveness in caregivers, promote active learning in infants, support mutually satisfying exchanges, and address the exceptional learning…

Analyzes attachment theory's viability as an overarching framework for counseling psychology. Places particular emphasis on the integrative potential and heuristic value of the theory, arguing that it can use biological (structural), psychological (cognitive/affective), and social dimensions of experience to clarify developmental dynamics in…

Assessed ways attachment styles affect young adults' reactions to stressors associated with four-month combat training. Results show that, compared with secure trainees, ambivalent trainees reported more emotion-focused coping, appraised the training in more threatening terms, and considered themselves less capable of coping with the training.…

Female incest survivors (n=112) completed several inventories and checklists to measure sexual abuse severity and adult attachment. Analyses indicated that sexual abuse characteristics predicted depression, intrusive thoughts, and memory avoidance. Adult attachment, particularly a lack of secure attachment, predicted memory avoidance, and also…

Assessed the attachment of 101 toddlers to their mothers and day care teachers by the Strange Situation Procedure or Q-Set measures. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that children's relationships with their parents and day care teachers would show similar attachment classifications. (BC)

Assessed infants' attachment behaviors toward nonparental adults, including grandparents, other relatives, and family friends. Found that the extent of infants' attachment behavior to nonparental adults was related to infant-mother attachment behavior and to the nonparental adult's responsiveness in teaching and position in the mother's social…

Assessed infant temperament at 2 days and 5 months of age, attachment to mother at 14 months, and behavioral inhibition at 24 months. Distress at pacifier withdrawal at two days was related to insecure attachment. Reactivity to frustration and novelty at five months was related to high vagal tone. Attachment classification was related to inhibited…

Infants' orienting of attention undergoes marked development in the first six months of life. Changes in attentional control appear to be related to infants' susceptibility to distress. (Author)

Discusses ways that day-care homes and child care centers can manipulate the design and ambiance of their facilities in ways that will encourage parents to spend time and interact with their children in the day-care setting. (HTH)

The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) was administered to 96 expecting mothers. In a one-year followup, mothers were seen with their child in the Strange Situation procedure. Maternal representations of attachment from the AAI predicted infant-mother attachment patterns in the Strange Situation. (BC)

Randomly selected college juniors and seniors (N=101) completed questionnaires concerning marital conflict, parental attachment, and attitudes about love and sex. Results indicated that intimacy was negatively correlated with parental conflict and divorce. Divorce and higher levels of conflict were associated with lower levels of intimacy in…

Explores the relationships between attachment, reasons for living, and suicide among 163 college students. Results indicate that, although survival and coping skills are most associated with low suicidal intentions, students' level of attachment and their view of parents as accessible are also significantly associated with low suicidal intentions.…

Considers alternative ways of conceptualizing patterns of attachment, arguing that danger prompts organization of protective strategies in children. Discusses issues of what is normal versus atypical; complex organization versus disorganization; neurological disorders and temperament; assessment of patterns of attachment and analysis of attachment…

Explored the antecedents of the ambivalent attachment pattern in Israeli infants. Found that mothers of ambivalent infants showed lower education level, higher separation anxiety, and higher parenting stress than mothers of secure infants. Infants' perceived difficult temperament did not discriminate between the two groups. Longer maternal work…