Laura E. Brumariu, Kathryn A. Kerns, and Ashley Seibert, Department of Psychology, Kent State University.
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Mother–child attachment, emotion regulation, and anxiety symptoms in middle childhood
Article first published online: 1 AUG 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2011.01379.x
Copyright © 2011 IARR
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How to Cite
BRUMARIU, L. E., KERNS, K. A. and SEIBERT, A. (2012), Mother–child attachment, emotion regulation, and anxiety symptoms in middle childhood. Personal Relationships, 19: 569–585. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2011.01379.x
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Laura E. Brumariu, Kathryn A. Kerns, and Ashley Seibert, Department of Psychology, Kent State University.
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Laura E. Brumariu is now at the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance. Ashley Seibert is now at the Department of Psychology, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
This article is based, in part, on a thesis submitted by L.E.B. in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.A. degree. This study was supported by research grants from the Kent State Graduate Student Senate and the Kent State Applied Psychology Center awarded to L.E.B. and by a research grant from the Kent State University Research Council awarded to K.A.K. The authors would like to thank the families who participated in this study.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 SEP 2012
- Article first published online: 1 AUG 2011
- Abstract
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This study examined whether the relation of mother–child attachment with anxiety symptoms is mediated by emotion regulation (ER) processes (poor emotional awareness, biased interpretations of emotionally charged events, and coping strategies). Attachment patterns were assessed in a sample of eighty-seven 10- to 12-year-olds using story-stem interviews. Children who were less secure and more disorganized reported more anxiety. Attachment was also related to ER; security was associated with less difficulty identifying emotions, and disorganization was associated with more catastrophizing interpretations and less active coping. Anxiety symptoms were related to all three ER processes. Finally, relations of security or disorganization with anxiety symptoms were partially mediated by ER processes.