TARABULSY et al. 2026 Are differences in early aggressive behavior mediated by attachment processes The case of adolescent mother-infant dyads (5) (1).pdf
Adolescent motherhood; aggressive behavior; mediation; security; sensitivity; Developmental and Educational Psychology; Psychiatry and Mental Health
Abstract :
[en] This study examines the possibility that the association between young motherhood and child aggressive behavior is mediated by maternal sensitivity and attachment security. Adolescent (n = 83) and adult (n = 44) mother-infant dyads were met at home when infants were 6-, 10-, 15- and 18-months-old. Sensitivity (6 and 10 months) and attachment security (15 and 18 months) were assessed based on two sets of 120-minute home observations. Child aggressiveness was reported by mothers at 18 months. Young motherhood was linked to lower levels of sensitivity and attachment security, and greater levels of aggressive behaviors. Sequential mediation analysis revealed mediation by attachment processes, after controlling for infant irritability (6- and 10-months). Discussion focuses on the way results support important postulates of attachment theory and argue in favor of attachment-based intervention and other strategies that addresses other challenges faced by young mothers.
Disciplines :
Treatment & clinical psychology
Author, co-author :
Tarabulsy, George M; School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, Canada ; University Centre for Research on Youth and Families, Québec, Canada
Leblanc, Carole-Anne; School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, Canada ; University Centre for Research on Youth and Families, Québec, Canada
Matte-Gagné, Célia; School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, Canada ; University Centre for Research on Youth and Families, Québec, Canada
Munoz-Specht, Pablo; School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, Canada ; University Centre for Research on Youth and Families, Québec, Canada ; Department of Psychology, National University of Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
Frechette-Boilard, Gabrielle; University Centre for Research on Youth and Families, Québec, Canada ; Department of Psychoeducation, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
Glowacz, Fabienne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie de la délinquance,des inadaptations sociales et des processus d'insertion ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Adaptation, Résilience et CHangement (ARCH)
Bernier, Annie; University Centre for Research on Youth and Families, Québec, Canada ; Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montréal, Canada
Language :
English
Title :
Are differences in early aggressive behavior mediated by attachment processes? The case of adolescent mother-infant dyads.
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