The Significance of Insecure Attachment and Disorganization in the Development of Children’s Externalizing Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Study
Abstract
This study addresses the extent to which insecure and disorganized attachments increase risk for externalizing problems using meta-analysis. From 69 samples (N = 5,947), the association between insecurity and externalizing problems was significant, d = 0.31 (95% CI: 0.23, 0.40). Larger effects were found for boys (d = 0.35), clinical samples (d = 0.49), and from observation-based outcome assessments (d = 0.58). Larger effects were found for attachment assessments other than the Strange Situation. Overall, disorganized children appeared at elevated risk (d = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.50), with weaker effects for avoidance (d = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.21) and resistance (d = 0.11, 95% CI: -0.04, 0.26). The results are discussed in terms of the potential significance of attachment for mental health.
Cite this
Pasco R. M. Fearon, Marian J. Bakermans‐Kranenburg, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Anne‐Marie Lapsley, Glenn I. Roisman (2010). The Significance of Insecure Attachment and Disorganization in the Development of Children’s Externalizing Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Study. Child Development. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01405.x
@article{m2010the,
title = {The Significance of Insecure Attachment and Disorganization in the Development of Children’s Externalizing Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Study},
author = {Fearon, Pasco R. M. and Bakermans‐Kranenburg, Marian J. and IJzendoorn, Marinus H. van and Lapsley, Anne‐Marie and Roisman, Glenn I.},
year = {2010},
journal = {Child Development},
doi = {10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01405.x}
}Citations in this library
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