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Processes Linking Parent-Child Attachment and Peer Relationships

Seibert, Ashley C.

Abstract Details

2009, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
The purpose of this study was to examine pathways from early mother-child attachment to pre-adolescent friendship. A subsample (n=1,140) of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care was used to examine both emotion regulation and peer competence as mediators of the relations between mother-child attachment and peer relationships (peer competence and friendship). It was expected that mother-child attachment at three years of age, and mother-child attachment at fifth grade would be related to peer competence at fifth grade and friendship at sixth grade. Attachment at three years of age was related to peer competence, and attachment at fifth grade was related to peer competence and friendship. It was also expected that the associations between mother-child attachment at three years and peer competence at fifth grade (and friendship at sixth grade) would be mediated by emotion regulation at third grade. Emotion regulation was found to be an intervening variable between attachment at three years and peer competence; however, this indirect effect was not significant in the overall model. In addition, it was expected that the associations of mother-child attachment at three years and attachment at fifth grade with friendship at sixth grade would be mediated by peer competence at fifth grade. Peer competence did not serve as an intervening variable between attachment and peer relationships. Further, it was expected that peer competence at third grade would uniquely predict peer competence at fifth grade (and friendship at sixth grade), after controlling for mother-child attachment at age three. Third grade peer competence was found to uniquely predict fifth grade peer competence and friendship, even after controlling for attachment. The findings suggest directions for future research on mediators of the attachment-peer link. This study can inform efforts to explain individual differences in friendship and also has implications for peer relationship interventions.
Kathryn Kerns, PhD (Advisor)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Seibert, A. C. (2009). Processes Linking Parent-Child Attachment and Peer Relationships [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1247249434

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Seibert, Ashley. Processes Linking Parent-Child Attachment and Peer Relationships. 2009. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1247249434.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Seibert, Ashley. "Processes Linking Parent-Child Attachment and Peer Relationships." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1247249434

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)