Attachment disorganization in infancy: a developmental precursor to maladaptive social information processing at age eight

The goal of the current study was to examine relations between attachment security and organization in infancy and social information processing at age eight. The sample included 77 children at high risk for maltreatment. Attachment quality was assessed using the Strange Situation, when children were on average 19.4 monthsold. Children’s social information processing patterns were assessed using the Social Information Processing Application (SIP-AP), a video-based measure developed to assess distinct stages of social information processing, when children were approximately 8.4-years-old. Attachment organization in infancy predicted hostile attributional bias and aggressive goals in middle childhood. More specifically, children with disorganized attachments interpreted ambiguous provocations more negatively (as indicating more hostility, rejection, and disrespect and as resulting in more anger) and endorsed significantly more revenge and dominance goals than children with organized attachments. Attachment disorganization did not predict aggressive responses or aggressive response evaluation, and attachment insecurity did not predict any stages of social information processing. Results further our understanding of the problematic long-term outcomes associated with attachment disorganization in infancy, especially for children who have experienced early adversity, and suggest that these children are at risk for developing problematic peer relations in middle childhood. Findings are discussed in terms of strengths and limitations of the study and suggestions for future research.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Delaware

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Zajac, Lindsay Ann

• Psychology
• Attachment
• Hostile attributional bias
• Social information processing

DOI

https://doi.org/10.58088/kkyv-b619

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:udspace.udel.edu:19716/23170