title: Observational attachment theory-based parenting measures predict children's attachment narratives independently from social learning theory-based measures.
abstract: Conceptually and methodologically distinct models exist for assessing quality of parent-child relationships, but few studies contrast competing models or assess their overlap in predicting developmental outcomes. Using observational methodology, the current study examined the distinctiveness of attachment theory-based and social learning theory-based measures of parenting in predicting two key measures of child adjustment: security of attachment narratives and social acceptance in peer nominations. A total of 113 5-6-year-old children from ethnically diverse families participated. Parent-child relationships were rated using standard paradigms. Measures derived from attachment theory included sensitive responding and mutuality; measures derived from social learning theory included positive attending, directives, and criticism. Child outcomes were independently-rated attachment narrative representations and peer nominations. Results indicated that Attachment theory-based and Social Learning theory-based measures were modestly correlated; nonetheless, parent-child mutuality predicted secure child attachment narratives independently of social learning theory-based measures; in contrast, criticism predicted peer-nominated fighting independently of attachment theory-based measures. In young children, there is some evidence that attachment theory-based measures may be particularly predictive of attachment narratives; however, no single model of measuring parent-child relationships is likely to best predict multiple developmental outcomes. Assessment in research and applied settings may benefit from integration of different theoretical and methodological paradigms.
authors.affiliation: a Universidade Lusíada do Porto , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matias
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Annabel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Futh
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010379:Peer Group; D012929:Psychological Distance; D002666:Psychology, Child; D014741:Video Recording