Effects of family risk on early attachment security: Gender-specific susceptibility and mediation by parenting behavior

Gerlach J, Fößel JM, Vierhaus M, Sann A, Eickhorst A, Zimmermann P, Spangler G (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Developmental Child Welfare Sage Publishing

Book Volume: 4

Pages Range: 20-40

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1177/25161032211065459

Abstract

Growing up in high-risk environments is detrimental to children’s development of attachment security. Parenting behavior is hypothesized to be the mechanism through which risks exert their influence. However, risk influences can vary between individuals by gender. Aim of this study was to explore specific pathways of family risk on early attachment security and additionally examine the transmission via parenting behavior. The sample consisted of 197 children and their primary caregivers. Children’s age ranged between 10 and 21 months (M = 15.25, SD = 3.59). Data assessment included 21 distal and proximal family risk factors, children’s attachment security, and parental responsivity and supportive presence. Whereas distal risk factors had an adverse effect only on girls’ attachment security, proximal risks negatively affected only boys’ attachment security. Additionally, patterns of risk factors occurring in our sample were analyzed using an exploratory principal component analysis. Regardless of the child’s gender, a low socio-economic status was negatively related to attachment security of all children. Migration and crowding and a high emotional load of the primary caregiver both negatively predicted girls’ but not boys’ attachment security. However, the attachment security of boys was affected by a negative family climate. Most of the adverse risk effects on attachment security were mediated by parental responsivity and supportive presence so that the transmission of risk occurs through parenting behavior. Results revealed a different susceptibility of family risks for girls and boys. The consideration of a gender-sensitive approach in developmental psychopathology and interventions of developmental child welfare services is recommended.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jennifer Gerlach Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Gottfried Spangler Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie

Involved external institutions

Bergische Universität Wuppertal DE Germany (DE) Jugendamt der Stadt Nürnberg DE Germany (DE) Hochschule Hannover (HsH) / University of Applied Sciences Hannover DE Germany (DE) Regens Wagner Stiftung DE Germany (DE) Schulamt für den Kreis Gütersloh DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Gerlach, J., Fößel, J.M., Vierhaus, M., Sann, A., Eickhorst, A., Zimmermann, P., & Spangler, G. (2022). Effects of family risk on early attachment security: Gender-specific susceptibility and mediation by parenting behavior. Developmental Child Welfare, 4(1), 20-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/25161032211065459

MLA:

Gerlach, Jennifer, et al. "Effects of family risk on early attachment security: Gender-specific susceptibility and mediation by parenting behavior." Developmental Child Welfare 4.1 (2022): 20-40.

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