Attachment Security with Mothers and Fathers: A Meta-Analysis on Mean-Level Differences and Correlations of Verbal Attachment Measures

Abstract

As mothers and fathers remain important attachment figures beyond infancy and toddlerhood, comparisons of attachment security of older children with their mothers and fathers are relevant for family researchers and practitioners. We analyzed mean-level differences between verbal reports of attachment security with mothers and fathers, and correlations between both attachments. A systematic search in electronic databases identified 826 studies that were included in random-effects meta-analyses. Although security of attachment with fathers was, on average, lower than security of attachment with mothers, mean-level differences were small (g = −0.29). Large correlations were found between security with mothers and fathers (r = 0.53). While mean-level differences were larger in studies with questionnaires rather than interviews, the reverse was found when analyzing correlation. The size of mean-level differences increased with age, while the size of the correlation between security with mothers and fathers declined. More recent studies found smaller mean-level differences and larger correlations of security with both attachment figures. There were smaller differences between security with mothers and fathers as well as larger correlations of security with both parents if samples included more intact families. Mean level-differences were smaller and correlations were stronger if studies included more males. Finally, there were larger correlations of security with mothers and fathers in low-risk samples than in clinical/high-risk samples. We conclude that correlations and mean-level differences of self-reported attachment security are stronger than in studies with behavioral measures of observed security in younger children. Further research is recommended on factors that explain the observed correlations and mean-level differences.