Krettenauer,
T., Ullrich, M., Hofmann, V., & Edelstein, W. (2003). Behavioral
Problems in Childhood and Adolescence as Predictors of Ego-Level
Attainment in Early Adulthood. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 49, 125-153
Abstract:
The study examines how externalizing as well as internalizing
behavioral problems in childhood and adolescence predict young
adults' personalities as represented by Loevinger's (1976) model
of ego development. The sample consisted of 103 individuals studied
longitudinally from ages 7 to 22. Behavioral problems were measured
by teacher ratings at ages 9, 12 and 15, whereas ego-level was
assessed once at age 22. Overall, both kinds of behavioral problems
were substantially associated with ego-level attainment at age
22, even when gender, SES and level of education were controlled.
Externalizing problems specifically predicted ego-level attainment
below conformity (= E3). By contrast, internalizing problems were
related particularly to difficulties in attaining ego-levels above
conformity (= E6). The study demonstrates that behavioral problems
in childhood and adolescence predict young adults' ego-level attainment
in unique and meaningful ways.
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Diener,
M. L., Casady, M. A., & Wright, C. (2003). Attachment Security
Among Mothers and Their Young Children Living in Poverty: Associations
with Maternal, Child, and Contextual Characteristics. Merrill-Palmer
Quarterly, 49, 154-182.
Abstract:
In order to extend previous research and inform intervention programs,
the goal of the present study was to further understand variability
in mother-child attachment security among high-risk families living
in poverty. Mothers (65% Hispanic) and their young children who
were in a home visitor program (n= 74) to connect families with
basic services or who were on the waiting list (n= 27) for the
program were visited at home. Mothers completed the Attachment
Q-Set, the Parenting Stress Index, and a questionnaire on beliefs
about the role of play in children's development and parenting
efficacy in either Spanish or English. Observers assessed maternal
sensitivity and the presence of appropriate play materials. Results
indicated that maternal, child, and contextual variables were
significantly associated with attachment security. Furthermore,
greater cumulative assets were related to more secure attachment
relationships.
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Howe,
N., Fiorentino, L. M., & Gariépy, N. (2003). Sibling
Conflict in Middle Childhood: Influence of Maternal Context and
Mother-Sibling Interaction over Four Years. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly,
49, 183-208
Abstract:
Two issues relevant to relationships models of development were
investigated: (1) the influence of maternal context (present,
absent) on frequency and types of conflicts of 24 sibling dyads
in middle childhood and (2) the stability of maternal and sibling
interaction over four years. Maternal presence depressed conflict
frequency and aggression; in maternal absence, siblings disagreed
about abstract (i.e., procedures/play plans) and concrete (i.e.,
object) issues and used relatively sophisticated resolutions.
Longitudinal findings revealed that earlier patterns of family
interaction were related to later indices of sibling conflict
and maternal interaction. Specifically, (1) earlier rates of sibling
play and hostile interaction were related to sibling conflicts,
(2) greater maternal interaction was associated with later sibling
conflict, and (3) greater sibling interaction was related to less
maternal interaction over time. Findings are discussed in light
of recent literature on sibling conflict and the development of
social understanding within the context of close relationships.
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Smetana,
J. G., Campione-Barr, N., & Yell, N. (2003). Children's Moral
and Affective Judgments Regarding Provocation and Retaliation.
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 49, 209-236.
Abstract:
Moral judgments, attributions of emotion, and their associations
were examined in hypothetical, prototypical situations and situations
of provocation and peer retaliation. Eighty-one school-age children,
46 kindergartners and first graders and 35 2nd-4th graders, judged
prototypical and provoked moral transgressions (hitting and teasing).
Children judged hypothetical moral transgressions to be more serious
and more deserving of punishment, and they reasoned more about
concerns with others' welfare, for prototypical than for provoked
transgressions and when retaliation involved hitting rather than
teasing. Children's moral condemnation of provocation increased
with age. Across conditions, children attributed greater happiness
to transgressors than to victims; "happy victimizer"
responses decreased with age for prototypical but not for provoked
transgressions. Moreover, retaliators were seen as both happier
and angrier than their victims. Anger increased and sadness decreased
with age, but children's emotion attributions were not associated
with their moral judgments about either prototypical or provoked
transgressions.
