TY - JOUR
T1 - Attachment and cognitive skills
T2 - An investigation of mediating mechanisms
AU - O'Connor, Erin
AU - McCartney, Kathleen
PY - 2007/9
Y1 - 2007/9
N2 - Associations between maternal attachment patterns and cognitive skills at first grade were examined, and mediators of identified associations tested using Phase I and II data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Care and Youth Development, a prospective study of 1364 children and families from birth through sixth grade. There were three main findings. First, ambivalent and insecure/other attachment patterns were negative predictors of cognitive skills. Second, the association between ambivalent attachment and cognitive skills was mediated by children's behaviors related to testing. Third, the association between insecure/other attachment and cognitive skills was mediated by children's exploration, maternal instruction, children's social relationships, and children's behaviors related to testing. Implications for attachment theory and education are discussed.
AB - Associations between maternal attachment patterns and cognitive skills at first grade were examined, and mediators of identified associations tested using Phase I and II data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Care and Youth Development, a prospective study of 1364 children and families from birth through sixth grade. There were three main findings. First, ambivalent and insecure/other attachment patterns were negative predictors of cognitive skills. Second, the association between ambivalent attachment and cognitive skills was mediated by children's behaviors related to testing. Third, the association between insecure/other attachment and cognitive skills was mediated by children's exploration, maternal instruction, children's social relationships, and children's behaviors related to testing. Implications for attachment theory and education are discussed.
KW - Attachment
KW - Cognitive skills
KW - Mediators
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34548489897&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1016/j.appdev.2007.06.007
DO - 10.1016/j.appdev.2007.06.007
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34548489897
SN - 0193-3973
VL - 28
SP - 458
EP - 476
JO - Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
JF - Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
IS - 5-6
ER -