Search

Background: Early relational health (ERH) interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) buffer infants from toxic stress effects. Implementation science (IS) can guide successful uptake of evidence-based practice (EBP) ERH interventions. It is unknown if implementors of ERH interventions currently use the resources of IS to improve implementation. Purpose: A narrative review of recent literature on implementation of ERH EBPs was completed to understand (a) which ERH interventions are currently being implemented in NICUs globally, (b) whether clinical implementors of ERH interventions have adopted the resources of IS, (c) existence of implementation gaps, and (d) implementation outcomes of ERH interventions in contemporary literature. Data Sources: Scopus, PubMed, and CINHAL were searched for original research regarding implementation of dyadic ERH interventions using key words related to IS and ERH. Study Selection: For inclusion, ERH EBPs had to have been implemented exclusively in NICU settings, contained data addressing an IS domain, printed in English within the last 5 years. Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Data Extraction: Studies were distilled for intervention, IS domains addressed, location, aims, design, sample, and outcomes. Results: Eleven ERH interventions were described in the literature. Few studies utilized the resources of IS, indicating variable degrees of success in implementation. Discussions of implementation cost were notably missing. Implications for Practice and Research: Implementors of ERH interventions appear to be largely unfamiliar with IS resources. More work is needed to reach clinicians with the tools and resources of IS to improve implementation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth with callous-unemotional (CU) traits are at risk for maladaptive outcomes across development. The caregiver-child attachment relationship may be a precursor to CU traits. This is the first systematic literature review of the association between attachment and CU traits. The systematic review and meta-analysis included 17 research articles from 1994 to 2022. Results were summarized by developmental periods. Attachment insecurity was associated with CU traits across development (r =.17). This association was marginally stronger for high-risk samples (e.g., clinical, justice) and for continuous attachment measures versus coding schemes. From early to middle childhood, attachment disorganization was associated with CU traits (r =.17). Research on attachment and CU traits in childhood is still in its infancy. Changes in attachment measures from childhood to adolescence make developmental comparisons difficult. Results suggest attachment as a potential developmental mechanism for youth with CU traits, however, the area requires more research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children from vulnerable backgrounds often have insecure attachment or disorganized attachment, which are related to psychological troubles, and such children need interventions to help them heal. The attachment system reorganizes in middle childhood, and other important adults play a considerable role in children's lives. Thus, it is essential to weigh the impact of psychosocial interventions, while the main focus of the intervention is the staff member's direct work with the child through a trusting relationship. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate whether children's attachment security and mental health outcomes change after participating in a trauma-informed, attachment-based, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) provided in a daycare center. It was a case-series study involving twelve children aged 8–11 years. The child attachment interview (CAI), CBCL/6-18, TRF/6-18, and clinical interviews for parents and children were used, measuring the change between the TBRI implementation in the daycare center and after one year. For ten participants, we noticed an improvement in mental health; for seven participants, security scales improved; for two participants, their disorganized attachment changed into insecure–dismissing. We have preliminary evidence that vulnerable children may benefit in terms of attachment security and mental health from the trusting relationship that staff build using the TBRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Understanding how positive parenting is conveyed across generations informs early childhood policy. Background: The extant literature has focused on how a mother's relationship with her own mother sets the stage for her parenting of her own children, yet less understood is how a mother's relationship with her father supports her responsive parenting and potentially informs her child's attachment security. Method: We analyzed data from 6,400 mothers of singleton infants participating in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort. We examined whether a mother's closeness with her own mother and father (Generation 1) related to her responsiveness and child attachment security (Generation 3) at age 24 months. Results: Most mothers reported being extremely (25.7%) or at least quite close (25.1%) with both their mother and father. How close mothers felt to their own parents was not associated with their observed level of responsiveness to their toddler or their toddler's attachment security, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Maternal education was the strongest predictor of responsiveness and attachment security. Conclusion: Maternal education is strongly related to responsiveness, and to a lesser extent, child attachment security, in toddlerhood. Implications.: Programs aimed at addressing the challenges of caregiving may overcome the limitations of lower education status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media use during childhood has quickly become a norm across the United States and in other countries. One area still not well understood is the development of problematic (or maladaptive and disruptive) media use in children. This research examines the role of attachment security as a central component in the development of problematic media use over time in a sample of 248 parent‐child dyads (9.50% African American, 20.66% Hispanic, 62.81% White, 2.07% Asian, 4.96% other ethnicities). We examined the relationship between attachment security and problematic media use one and 2 years later. We then constructed a mediation model examining parent responsiveness while jointly engaging in media use and during play as mediators between infant attachment security and problematic media use over time. Results suggest that while infant attachment security may be protective against developing problematic media use patterns, this relationship does not seem to be mediated by parent‐child interactions while engaging in media or during play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentalization, operationalized as reflective functioning (RF), is the ability to understand one's own and another's mental world implicitly or explicitly. RF is a newly discovered research field in Iran and is largely under-studied in Eastern cultures in general, underscoring the high need for cross-cultural studies in this field of research. A qualitative method was used to examine the ability to understand, process, and respond to high-arousal attachment situations in typical and clinical populations of Iranian children recruited from a Tehran primary school. A well-known semi-structured interview commonly used to assess RF in children was used to collect data. Required information on internalizing and externalizing symptoms, demographic information, and all formal diagnoses of children were collected by parents. The results indicated the identification of four different profiles of RF in children, one of which was adaptive, while the other three were maladaptive. Also, the results showed that typically developing children and those having a high social and economic status (SES) were characterized as having a more adaptive profile of RF, while children from the clinical population and those with a low SES reported a more maladaptive profile (passive mentalizing, helpless mentalizing, narcissistic mentalizing) of RF. The present study is an important step in increasing our understanding of the development of mentalization in children and has significant educational and clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Three studies examined the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and meaning in life, focusing on the facets of meaning—coherence, significance, and purpose. Method: In Study 1 (N = 1804), college students rated adverse childhood experiences, global meaning in life, and its facets. In Study 2 (N = 822), noncollege adults rated childhood trauma, meaning in life facets, attachment style, mood, and neuroticism. In Study 3 (N = 380) college students wrote about a positive and negative childhood memory, rating the facets of meaning immediately after each writing task. Results: In Studies 1–2, at the level of zero‐order correlations, adverse childhood experiences related negatively to coherence, significance, and purpose. Controlling for the other facets, adverse childhood experiences remained negatively related to coherence and significance but were unrelated to purpose. Negative relationships between adverse childhood experiences and coherence and significance maintained controlling for covariates (Study 2). In Study 3, the predicted 3‐way interaction showed that after recalling a negative childhood memory, adverse childhood experiences predicted lower significance and coherence but higher purpose. Conclusions: Adverse childhood experiences consistently predict lower feelings of coherence and significance but, accounting for these associations, are unrelated to purpose. Purpose may represent a motivational strength emerging out of childhood adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current COVID‐19‐pandemic confronted a large number of young families with stressors. For mothers with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM), the distress during the current pandemic added to their already increased risk for a less sensitive, maltreating parenting behavior. Objective: This study aims to investigate whether maternal attachment representation mediates the relationship between maternal CM experiences and changes in parenting behavior during the pandemic. Method: As a part of a longitudinal study, mothers' experiences of CM and their attachment status were assessed. For the present study, 92 mothers (mean age: 38.14 years, SD = 4.08; attachment representation: 36% secure, 64% insecure and unresolved) completed an online SARS‐CoV‐2‐pandemic survey assessing their parenting behavior since the beginning of the pandemic. Results: The odds of an insecure maternal attachment representation in adulthood increased with higher levels of CM load. Mediation analyses revealed that maternal attachment representation fully explained the relationship between maternal CM load to changes in sensitive, endangering, and overall parenting quality. Conclusions: CM has lasting effects on maternal adult attachment representations. Mothers' attachment representations contribute to a further understanding of intergenerational transmission mechanisms of CM later in adulthood through a more endangered parenting approach in challenging times. Implications: The results of this study should be considered in the development of programs offered to families facing stressful circumstances. In particular, we recommend increased implementation of telephone‐ or web‐based programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This research aims to investigate metric characteristics of the digital technology preoccupation scale and the possibility of predicting life satisfaction in children from 8 to 13 years, based on time spent using digital technology and preoccupation with digital technology. Method: Participants are 1072 children aged 8 to 13 years and their parents who agreed to participate in the study. Using pen and paper questionnaires, children provided data on their life satisfaction and preoccupation with digital technology (DT), and their parents assessed the average time children used DT during a typical day in a week or during the weekend. Results: Digital technology preoccupation scale showed good metric characteristics with all five items loading on one factor and good reliability. Boys and older children show more preoccupation with digital technology and lower life satisfaction. Also, boys use DT during the weekend longer than girls. After controlling for the effect of age and gender, and duration of DT use, preoccupation with digital technology explained 3% of the variance of life satisfaction. The total model explained 9% of variance. Conclusion: Findings from this study show that preoccupation with digital technology is an important factor to be considered concerning children's life satisfaction, beyond the contribution of time spent using DT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Children and young people's (CYP) behaviour can be impacted by experiences and communicate many different needs. It is recognised that behaviours characteristic of attachment difficulties are observed in CYP presumed to be securely attached, presenting as social and emotional difficulties. Therefore, it can be more effective and inclusive for schools to target a range of pupils. This is one reason why this systematic review was not limited solely to attachment-based interventions. Aims: This article reviewed recent research evidence relating to interventions schools have used to support CYP facing these challenges. The aim was to establish what interventions were being used by schools, and the outcomes for pupils. Methods: A systematic literature review of existing research was carried out using electronic databases and results were enhanced through reference harvesting. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were evaluated using Gough's Weight of Evidence framework and assessed by critical appraisal frameworks depending on the methods used. Findings: Within the ten studies, seven different interventions were used, and five themes emerged showing patterns in the outcomes linked to the interventions: social skills and relationships; confidence and self-esteem; behaviour; academic work and learning; wellbeing. Implications: The review provides useful information for professionals working within education, identifying potential school-based interventions, and evidencing the positive outcomes that can be achieved. Limitations: Strict criteria may have limited the studies available for review and the fidelity of interventions discussed is unknown. Conclusions: The review highlights a need for further research into evidence-based interventions to support pupils with attachment difficulties and related behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses a 2-wave, longitudinal design to evaluate mother-child attachment security (child-reported) and emotion regulation capacities (wave 1, age 10-12) as mediators linking childhood maltreatment chronicity and emotion regulation (ER) patterns in emerging adulthood (wave 2; N = 399; 48.1% male; 77.2% Black/African-American, 11.3% White, 7.8% Hispanic, 3.8% other race). Children from families eligible for public assistance with and without maltreatment exposure participated in a summer research camp (wave 1) and were recontacted in emerging adulthood (wave 2). SEM results showed that greater maltreatment chronicity predicted lower childhood attachment security, which in turn predicted membership in ER profiles marked by emotion dysregulation and limited access to ER strategies. Greater attachment security predicted membership in adaptive ER profiles in emerging adulthood. Results suggest that insecure attachment is one process by which childhood maltreatment disrupts adaptive ER across development, whereas greater attachment security in childhood can promote multiple forms of adaptive emotion regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social anxiety is a frequently reported symptom in children and adolescents. The literature suggests that family function is related to symptoms of social anxiety in children. However, relatively little is known about the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between family function and social anxiety. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to examine the roles of peer attachment and self‐esteem in the relationship between family function and social anxiety in a sample of migrant children in China. Methods: A total of 437 participants (54.9% male; meanage = 10.87 years) were selected from two public schools of migrant children in two areas of Hangzhou and Jiaxing, the major labor‐importing cities in China, in May 2016. All participants completed four questionnaires assessing family function, peer attachment, self‐esteem, and social anxiety. Results: The results showed that family function was bivariately and significantly related to symptoms of social anxiety. Additionally, self‐esteem fully mediated the relationship between family function and social anxiety peer attachment. Moreover, the relationship between family function and social anxiety was fully mediated by peer attachment and self‐esteem (in that order). Conclusions: Peer attachment and self‐esteem serve as critical pathways linking family function and social anxiety. Thus, tailored interventions should consider the roles of peer attachment and self‐esteem to alleviate symptoms of social anxiety in migrant children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of numerous social media formats (SMFs) has grown exponentially over the past several years. In many cases it has become the sole source of communication, the sole source of entertainment, and, unfortunately in many instances it exhibits the characteristics of a disruptive behavior. As a result, it has interfered with fundamental relationships. The following research sought to examine if there is a negative correlation between the disruptive use of SMFs and an individual's early life attachments to parents and/or other adults. In order to determine if a correlation existed, the research participants completed 4 standardized questionnaires of which 3 measured early life attachments to mothers, fathers, and/or other adults and a single questionnaire that measured their later life disruptive use of a variety of SMFs. This research did identitfy a significant negative correlation does exist between the positive protective factor of early childhood attachments when measured against the risk factor of later life disruptive use of SMFs. This finding was true for research participants who identified only parental attachment figures but the strength of the correlation was enhanced when a research participant also identified an other adult as an early attachment figure. The research further identified that certain of the 9 subcategories of the Disruptive Use Scale were more significant for female research participants while other subcategories were more significant for male research participants. This research clearly establisheda robust negative correlation between research participants' early childhood attachment experiences and their later life disruptive use of SMFs. However, to generalize the above findings, additional research needs to be conducted that is more inclusive of a variety of research participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies showed that attachment security can change within persons, suggesting that there might be an interplay between a rather stable (trait) and rather variable (state) part of attachment. The study's first aim was to investigate whether attachment priming could influence the level of state attachment. The second aim was to explore possible moderators explaining individual differences in the relation between state attachment responses to attachment versus neutral primes. This can shed light on individual differences in attachment prime-induced state attachment. We conducted a within-subjects priming study in which children (9–13 years) were allocated to three priming procedures (neutral, secure, avoidant). Results showed an increase in secure state attachment after secure attachment priming. Individual differences in the strength of this effect were moderated by trait attachment and state attachment volatility. First findings cautiously suggest that state attachment security can change in response to environmental cues under certain circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment is a motivational system promoting felt security to a caregiver resulting in a persistent internal working model of interpersonal behavior. Attachment styles are developed in early social environments and predict future health and development outcomes with potential biological signatures, such as epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation (DNAm). Thus, we hypothesized infant DNAm would associate with toddler attachment styles. An epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of blood DNAm from 3-month-old infants was regressed onto children's attachment style from the Strange Situation Procedure at 22-months at multiple DNAm Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) sites. The 26 identified CpGs associated with proinflammatory immune phenotypes and cognitive development. In post-hoc analyses, only maternal cognitive-growth fostering, encouraging intellectual exploration, contributed. For disorganized children, DNAm-derived cell-type proportions estimated higher monocytes –cells in immune responses hypothesized to increase with early adversity. Collectively, these findings suggested the potential biological embedding of both adverse and advantageous social environments as early as 3-months-old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical separation from caregivers activates attachment-related behaviors. However, neural underpinnings of this biological mechanism in humans and their development are poorly understood. We examined via functional MRI brain responses to pictorial representations of separation as a function of attachment-security, attachment-avoidance, and attachment-anxiety measured using the Child-Attachment-Interview, in 30 typically developing children (9-11 years). Attachment-related stimuli elicited enhanced activation in the precuneus, temporoparietal junction area, and medial superior frontal gyrus (described as mentalization network). More negatively rated attachment stimuli yielded increased activity in the inferior frontal gyrus/anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/ACC. Furthermore, ACC responses to attachment-related as compared to control stimuli were positively correlated with attachment-security and negatively correlated with attachment-avoidance. Our findings suggest that processing of separation cues elicits increased mentalization-related processing in children and activation of the salience network with increased negative valence of stimuli. Avoidant vs. securely attached children differentially activate ACC-dependent processes of affective evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although numerous individual studies have attempted to link child–parent attachment and prosociality, a systematic picture of that relationship requires a meta-analytic approach that considers different dimensions of prosociality and potential moderators. The current meta-analysis examined 41 studies drawn primarily from North America and Europe and published between 1978 to 2020. Child age ranged from 12 to 53 months at the assessment of child–parent attachment and 12 to 108 months at the assessment of prosociality. Across 35 studies (100 effect sizes, N = 4,611), child–mother attachment security and child prosociality were significantly associated (r =.19, 95% CI [.14,.23]). No moderators were identified. Exploratory estimates were also derived for subtypes of child–mother attachment insecurity. Across six studies (eight effect sizes, N = 402), child–father attachment security was significantly associated with prosociality (r =.11, 95% CI [.02,.23]). The magnitude of effect sizes did not differ based on parent gender. The discussion considers areas of growth for attachment and prosociality research. Public Significance Statement: The nature by which we interact with one another—namely how we help and show kindness to others—is critical for a functional and prosperous society. This study examined child–parent attachment as a potential source of influence for the development of prosociality. Across 41 studies and over 4,000 children, we identified that when children form a secure attachment relationship to their mothers and fathers, they are more likely to behave prosocially toward others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At a time when inclusion is valued, an important question is how it can be put into practice. This study investigates how one Swedish preschool and one of its units achieve inclusion. It adopted a mixed method research approach and a case study design. Participating in the study were one head teacher, five preschool staff members and five children with attachment difficulties/an attachment disorder. The data were collected by way of structured and semi-structured observations, a focus group interview and one retrospective interview. Thematic and statistical data analyses as well as pattern-matching were conducted. The study shows that preschool inclusion was achieved by means of a new unit, a specialised organisational typology, full inclusion, a two-tiered system of integrated support, a shared vision, high expectations of all children, positive attitudes, qualified staff, staff support and sufficient funding as well as a set of factors and inclusive practices that were implemented to a high level of quality (nearly excellent; m = 6 on a 7-point Likert Scale). The pattern of the results, with two exceptions, supports the predicted pattern with a basis in previous studies and frameworks. The study answers the question and can form a basis for interesting discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a frequent neurodevelopmental disorder in children. ADHD has a multifactorial origin, combining genetic and environmental factors. Several studies suggested an influence of early parent–child relationships on the symptomatic expression of ADHD. In this review, we examine the studies that have investigated the links between attachment and ADHD in children. We searched for studies published between January 2000 and November 2019 on PsychInfo, PubMed, and Scopus. Selected studies included a theoretically based measure of attachment and an explicit measure of ADHD symptoms or an ADHD diagnosis. Studies that included children from adoption, institutionalization, or mistreatment were not included. We found only 26 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Almost all these studies indicated a link between the attachment type and the presence of attentional difficulties and hyperactivity. However, associations were better explained, in several studies, by confounding factors such as comorbidities, cognitive difficulties, or contextual factors. The method used to assess attachment and parental mental health also had an impact. An increasing number of studies show a link between the type of attachment and the presence of attentional difficulties and hyperactivity in children. However, the nature of this link remains unclear. Implications for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholarly discussion suggests prevalent, overconfident use of attachment classifications in child protection (CP) investigations but no systematic research has examined actual prevalence, the methods used to derive such classifications, or their interpretations. We aimed to cover this gap using survey data from a nationally representative sample of Swedish CP workers (N = 191). Three key findings emerged. First, the vast majority formed an opinion about young children's attachment quality in all or most investigations. Second, most did not employ systematic assessments, and none employed well-validated attachment methods. Third, there was overconfidence in the perceived implications of attachment classifications. For example, many believed that insecure attachment is a valid indicator of insufficient care. Our findings illustrate a wide researcher-practitioner gap. This gap is presumably due to inherent difficulties translating group-based research to the level of the individual, poor dissemination of attachment theory and research, and infrastructural pressures adversely influencing the quality of CP investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brooding rumination is a maladaptive form of emotion regulation and confers a risk for psychopathology. Insecure attachment and low cognitive self-regulation are important antecedents of brooding. Yet, little is known about the developmental interplay between these two systems. Thus, we tested how children's attachment and cognitive self-regulation, conceptualized as effortful control (EC), interact to predict brooding. The participants in the three-wave longitudinal study were n = 157 children (10 to 14 years) and their mothers. Children reported their attachment and brooding, and mothers reported children's EC. Results showed that children with low avoidance received benefit from high EC to decrease brooding, whereas children with high anxiety brooded irrespective of EC. Thus, high EC may foster constructive emotion regulation among securely attached children, whereas the beneficial effects of high EC on emotional functioning seem to be overridden by insecurity. The functional role of cognitive self-regulation on different attachment strategies is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Play is among the most frequently observed distorted behaviors in victims of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Terr's (1981) studies helped to describe this behavioral distortion as post-traumatic child's play (PTCP). This study aimed to evaluate whether child victims of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) engaging in semi-structured play present the markers of post-traumatic child's play (PTCP) during the administration of the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST), whose playful stories activate the attachment system. Methods: The sample comprised 17 child victims of ACEs (mean age = 6.76). Children were evaluated using the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task. Results: The analysis of the play clearly revealed the presence of markers associated with the characteristics of the post-traumatic play described by Terr (1981), namely, repetition, revisiting, hyperarousal, and danger. In particular, the intrusiveness dimension was observed, which can be identified in the post-traumatic play by the presence of recurrent memories, dreams, and dissociative symptoms. Conclusions: Post-traumatic play is characterized by repetition, containing aspects, scenes, or sequences of the traumatic event, expressed explicitly or symbolically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present meta‐analysis tested for differences between security of attachment to mothers and fathers. We also analysed associations between security with mothers and fathers. A systematic search in electronic databases identified 95 studies on behavioural measures of attachment to both parents that were included in random‐effects meta‐analyses. Although security of attachment to fathers was significantly lower than security of attachment to mothers, mean‐level differences were very small (g = −0.07). Differences were smaller if more intact families participated. There was a significant correlation of security with mothers and fathers (r = 0.32) and larger associations were found in studies with the Strange Situation rather than the Attachment Q‐Set, in studies with older children, and in more recent studies. Further research is recommended on factors that explain observed correlations and mean‐level differences. Highlights: Security of attachment with fathers was lower than security with mothers, but differences were very small.Security to mothers and fathers were moderately correlated.Correlations of security with mothers and fathers were stronger in more recent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal input addressed to children after an early hospitalization (EH) was longitudinally compared to maternal input directed to typically developing children (TD), at 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months of age. The data were analyzed with the CHILDES tools for (a) word-tokens (b) word-types (c) Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) and (d) questions in which the mothers request a response or a turn. Nonsignificant differences between groups were found. Only questions were significantly higher for EH mothers than for TD mothers across the five sessions. Lexical Correspondence Analysis (LCA) on these two datasets show qualitative differences between the two groups. Depression and anxiety at 12 months and children attachment behaviour assessed at 18 months do not play a role from EH mothers. These findings suggest that EH mothers have a specific conversational style encouraging their infants and toddlers to request salient information or to perform an action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease (CHD) can present challenges to the developing parent-child relationship due to periods of infant hospitalization and intensive medical care, parent-infant separations, child neurodevelopmental delay and feeding problems, and significant parent and child distress and trauma. Yet, the ways in which CHD may affect the parent-child relationship are not well-understood. We systematically reviewed the evidence on parental bonding, parent-child interaction, and child attachment following CHD diagnosis, according to a pre-registered protocol (CRD42019135687). Six electronic databases were searched for English-language studies comparing a cardiac sample (i.e., expectant parents or parents and their child aged 0–5 years with CHD) with a healthy comparison group on relational outcomes. Of 22 unique studies, most used parent-report measures (73%) and yielded mixed results for parental bonding and parent-child interaction quality. Observational results also varied, although most studies (4 of 6) found difficulties in parent-child interaction on one or more affective or behavioural domains (e.g., lower maternal sensitivity, lower infant responsiveness). Research on parental-fetal bonding, father-child relationships, and child attachment behaviour was lacking. Stronger evidence is needed to determine the nature, prevalence, and predictors of relational disruptions following CHD diagnosis, and to inform targeted screening, prevention, and early intervention programs for at-risk dyads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early parent-child relationship and child negative emotionality have both been studied as contributors to attachment security, but few studies have examined whether negative emotionality can moderate effects of parent-child relationship on security and whether the process is comparable across mother- and father-child dyads and different security measures. In 102 community families, we observed parent-child shared positive affect and infants' anger proneness at 7 months, and attachment security at 15 months, using observer-rated Attachment Q-Set (AQS) and a continuous measure derived from Strange Situation Paradigm (SSP). For mother-child dyads, high shared positive affect and low anger proneness were associated with AQS security. Those effects were qualified by their interaction: Variations in shared positive affect were associated with security only for relatively more anger-prone children. That effect reflected the diathesis-stress model. For father-child dyads, shared positive affect was associated with security. There were no effects for SSP security with either parent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined representations of attachment security using story stem narratives (Manchester Attachment Story Task, MCAST) and a family drawing task in 50 Greek children between 4 and 6 years old. Additionally, we examined the association between attachment classification based on the family drawing task and maternal reports of social and emotional symptoms assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Attachment security classification based on the MCAST was not significantly associated with attachment security classification based on the family drawings. There was a small to medium strength significant association between drawing-based insecure attachment classification and higher scores on conduct problems and inattention/hyperactivity ratings. However, the associations were not statistically significant after controlling for the effects of child gender, and maternal education and age. The findings are discussed in relation to the properties of the family drawing task to measure attachment security in the preschool and early middle childhood years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cults are religious organizations requiring total commitment and submission from their members. They form a highly controlling environment with rigid structures to suppress individuality. Being born and raised within a cultic community has a significant impact on the life course of those affected. Especially after exit or exclusion, second generation ex-members commonly have to face different challenges. This study aimed to investigate these cultic childhood experiences and their long-term effects on the individual development and the further lives of those affected. Former cult members (n = 16) who were born and raised in cultic groups participated in an in-depth qualitative interview study. The findings indicate that growing up in a family belonging to a cult is often associated with serious restrictions, burdens and even traumatization. Later in life, this may lead to the development of self-esteem problems, mental disorders, and difficulties in intimate relationships. Individual life experiences should be taken into account when providing help for those who have grown up in a cult and managed to get out of it. Based on the study results, recommendations for psycho-social practice are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]