Behavioral Inhibition as a Function of Child's Early Emotionality, Parenting, and Mother-Child Attachment

아동의 초기 정서성, 양육행동 및 모자녀 애착과 남·여 아동의 행동억제간의 관계

In this study of 79 3- and 4-year-old children, behavioral inhibition was assessed by their preschool teachers; mother-child attachment was assessed by the researchers in home visits; and mothers reported on their parenting and their child's emotionality at 6-12 months of age. Findings were that insecure attachment was related to high child's distress reactions to limitations (negative emotionality) in early infancy and to strong maternal rejection/hostility. Higher maternal sensitivity to child's inhibition was related to more secure attachment. Girls were more highly inhibited than boys. Smiling and laughter (positive emotionality) in early infancy was negatively related to child's inhibited behavior. Maternal sensitivity to child inhibition was positively related to child's inhibited behavior. Findings are consistent with Engfer's (1993) theory of gender differences in developmental paths into behavioral inhibition.