Multi-method assessment of attachment for middle childhood and early adolescence: links to parenting and parent attachment

Abstract

Despite advances in the measurement of parent–child attachment in middle childhood and early adolescence, most studies relied on a single measure to assess attachment and few studies tested the core assumption that parenting and parents’ own attachment models are key factors associated with parent–child attachment security. We aimed to: (a) evaluate a multi-method approach to assessing attachment that included the Middle Childhood Attachment Coding System (MCAS), a behavioral measure of parent–child attachment; and (b) test a model linking parenting, parent attachment, and attachment security. Participants included 179 mother-child dyads with children aged 9–14 years. MCAS patterns showed some associations with a questionnaire measure of attachment security, but they were unrelated to narrative coherence on an autobiographical interview. MCAS patterns, reported attachment security, and narrative coherence showed some associations with maternal sensitivity and autonomy support. MCAS security was associated with maternal secure base scripts. A model assessing how parenting and maternal attachment scripts relate to a latent construct of security composed of narrative coherence, children’s perceptions of security, and observed MCAS security fits the data well. Findings provide support for the use of multiple measurement approaches when disentangling associations of parent–child attachment and broadening the research focus on attachment and parenting.