RESUMEN
The observer version of the Attachment Q-Set (AQS) is considered to be a valid instrument for the assessment of infant attachment security while it is unclear which variables are measured by its mother version. Since there are only few studies so far who evaluate both versions concerning more than one aspect of validity, this was the aim of the present study. Furthermore it was searched for variables which moderate the correspondence of both versions. In a sample of 64 mother child dyads attachment security was assessed at the childrens' age of 18 months in the Strange Situation Test (SST) and at the age of 30 months via AQS in both the observer and the mother version. Maternal sensitivity which is hypothesised in attachment theory to be related to attachment security was estimated in order to test validity. The mothers' tendency to describe her child in a social desired way was investigated via questionnaire. To summarize validity can be stated for both versions of the AQS since both correlate significantly with maternal sensitivity. However only the observer version of AQS was associated with SST classifications and can therefore be considered to reach validity. Mother and observer version corresponded better in the case of girls respectively when the mothers' social desirability response bias was low.
Asunto(s)
Relaciones Madre-Hijo , Apego a Objetos , Q-Sort/estadística & datos numéricos , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Conducta Materna/psicología , Psicometría/estadística & datos numéricos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Factores Sexuales , Deseabilidad Social , Medio Social , TemperamentoRESUMEN
Negative emotionality, as well as attachment security and disorganization, are seen as major contributors to social adjustment and maladjustment in childhood. However, relatively little is known about whether infant negative emotionality and attachment quality operate together to affect developing behavior problems. The present study thus aims to contribute to this question. Participants were 64 healthy firstborn children and their primary caregivers. Negative emotionality was assessed at the infant ages of 4, 8, and 12 months using laboratory routines. At 18 months, the Strange Situation procedure was conducted to assess infant attachment security and disorganization, and at 30 months, the child's behavior problems were assessed within a structured clinical interview. Attachment security and attachment disorganization were significantly associated with subsequent behavior problems. There was no significant relation between infant negative emotionality and behavior problems. However, there were indications of a stronger association between attachment disorganization and behavior problems in infants high in negative emotionality. The results underpin the importance of attachment quality as well as negative emotionality in social adjustment. Disorganized attachment precedes poor adjustment, especially in infants high in negative emotionality.