Attachment Parenting

Journal Studies

A mixed methods approach to understanding the relationship between attachment and child outcomes: The connection of related findings, theory and cultural implications as explored through the perspectives and practices of attachment parents.

Wedmore, H. V. (2013). A mixed methods approach to understanding the relationship between attachment and child outcomes: The connection of related findings, theory and cultural implications as explored through the perspectives and practices of attachment parents.

In Chapter 2 of this paper, a quantitative analysis investigated the association between positive couple interaction and child outcomes (externalizing behavior and social competence) as mediated through positive parenting and a secure parent-child attachment. In Chapter 3, a qualitative approach was used to explore the perspectives and parenting behaviors of mothers who identify as attachment parents Additionally, the implications of attachment theory, evolutionary theory, and the societal context in which parenting practices are embedded are explored. A connection between the quantitative and qualitative findings of this study is drawn in Chapter 4 via the discussion section. In addition, consistencies and inconsistencies were explored between the results of both studies as well as between previous research findings and pre-established theory.
New Mothers and Media Use: Associations Between Blogging, Social Networking, and Maternal Well-Being
McDaniel, B. T., Coyne, S. M., & Holmes, E. K. (2012). New Mothers and Media Use: Associations Between Blogging, Social Networking, and Maternal Well-Being. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(7), 1509-1517.

Blogging, but not social networking, fulfilled a means of social support to new mothers, providing feelings of connectedness and well-being.
First-Time Mothers: Social Support, Maternal Parental Self-Efficacy and Postnatal Depression
Leahy-Warren, P., McCarthy, G., & Corcoran, P. (2012). First-time mothers: social support, maternal parental self-efficacy and postnatal depression. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 21(3-4), 388-397.

Social support was associated with a new mother’s confidence, which was further related to less postpartum depression.
Social Support, Volunteering and Health Around the World: Cross-National Evidence From 139 Countries
Kumar, S., Calvo, R., Avendano, M., Sivaramakrishnan, K., & Berkman, L. F. (2012). Social support, volunteering and health around the world: cross-national evidence from 139 countries. Social Science & Medicine, 74(5), 696-706.

Personal health was associated with social support, which included relationships with family and friends as well as volunteer opportunities.
Parenting Style Trumps Work Role in Life Satisfaction of Midlife Women
Kasimatis, M. D., & Guastello, D. D. (2012). Parenting Style Trumps Work Role in Life Satisfaction of Midlife Women. Journal of Articles in Support of the Null Hypotheses, 9(1), 52-60.

Parenting style determined mothers' midlife life satisfaction while mothers' work roles did not, and authoritative parenting styles were directly linked to midlife happiness.
Social Influences on Neuroplasticity: Stress and Interventions to Promote Well-Being
Davidson, R. J., & McEwen, B. S. (2012). Social influences on neuroplasticity: stress and interventions to promote well-being. Nature Neuroscience, 15(5), 689-695.

More research is needed to explore brain plasticity in response to social influences. What is known is that stress affects humans and animals similarly in changing the activation and physical structure of different parts of the brain. It also appears that positive emotional qualities can be acquired through training of the mind.
Linking Maternal Warmth and Responsiveness to Children's Self-Regulation
von Suchodoletz, A., Trommsdorff, G., & Heikamp, T. (2011). Linking Maternal Warmth and Responsiveness to Children's Self-regulation. Social Development, 20(3), 486-503.

While maternal warmth was predictive of better behavior regulation in the child overall, maternal responsiveness to child distress was specifically related to the child’s internalization of rules of conduct.
The Relation of Harsh and Permissive Discipline with Child Disruptive Behaviors: Does Child Gender Make a Difference in an At-Risk Sample?
Parent, J., Forehand, R., Merchant, M. J., Edwards, M. C., Conners-Burrow, N. A., Long, N., & Jones, D. J. (2011). The Relation of Harsh and Permissive Discipline with Child Disruptive Behaviors: Does Child Gender Make a Difference in an At-Risk Sample?. Journal of Family Violence, 26(7), 527-533.

Permissive parenting intensified boys’ behavioral problems, and harsh discipline was related to child behavioral problems regardless of gender, but parent education lessened child behavioral problems, particularly for girls.
Inhibitory Control and Harsh Discipline as Predictors of Externalizing Problems in Young Children: A Comparative Study of US, Chinese, and Japanese Preschoolers
Olson, S. L., Tardif, T. Z., Miller, A., Felt, B., Grabell, A. S., Kessler, D., ... & Hirabayashi, H. (2011). Inhibitory Control and Harsh Discipline as Predictors of Externalizing Problems in Young Children: A Comparative Study of US, Chinese, and Japanese Preschoolers. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 39(8), 1163-1175.

Harsh discipline contributed to child behavior problems.
Parenting and Late Adolescent Emotional Adjustment: Mediating Effects of Discipline and Gender
McKinney, C., Milone, M. C., & Renk, K. (2011). Parenting and late adolescent emotional adjustment: Mediating effects of discipline and gender. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 42(4), 463-481.

Harsh discipline strategies were predictive of poor emotional adjustment in emerging adults, while positive discipline predicted healthy adjustment.

Pages