Security, Self-Worth, and Social Functioning in Early Adolescence

Security, Self-Worth, and Security, Self-Worth, and Social Functioning in Early Social Functioning in Early

AdolescenceAdolescence

AuthorsAuthors

Cathryn Booth-LaForceCathryn Booth-LaForce Wonjung OhWonjung Oh Angel Hayoung KimAngel Hayoung Kim Kenneth H. RubinKenneth H. Rubin Linda Rose-KrasnorLinda Rose-Krasnor Kim B. BurgessKim B. Burgess

BackgroundBackground

Attachment-peer links—mostly in younger Attachment-peer links—mostly in younger children.children.

Not much research in middle-childhood/ Not much research in middle-childhood/ early adolescent attachment.early adolescent attachment.

Relatively new measures.Relatively new measures. Evidence is mixed regarding attachment-Evidence is mixed regarding attachment-

peer links in this age period.peer links in this age period.

Entering uncharted waters…Entering uncharted waters…

Most studies in this age period have assessed Most studies in this age period have assessed security/insecurity, and not security/insecurity, and not typestypes of insecurity. of insecurity.

Specific Linkage HypothesisSpecific Linkage Hypothesis:: AvoidantAvoidant and aggressive, hostile with peers and aggressive, hostile with peers PreoccupiedPreoccupied (resistant) and socially inept, (resistant) and socially inept,

passive, victimized, low dominance with passive, victimized, low dominance with peerspeers

Most studies have assessed attachment in Most studies have assessed attachment in relation to mother, but not father.relation to mother, but not father.

Mother Primacy HypothesisMother Primacy Hypothesis: Attachment : Attachment relationship with mother is more predictive relationship with mother is more predictive of outcomes than is attachment relationship of outcomes than is attachment relationship with father.with father.

Effects of child gender have been considered Effects of child gender have been considered rarely.rarely.

Same-Sex Linkage HypothesisSame-Sex Linkage Hypothesis: Sons’ attachment : Sons’ attachment to fathers and daughters’ attachment to mothersto fathers and daughters’ attachment to mothers—more predictive of outcomes.—more predictive of outcomes.

Attachment security is related to Attachment security is related to perceptions of self-worth.perceptions of self-worth.

Self-worth is related to Self-worth is related to psychosocial functioning.psychosocial functioning.

Is self-worth a mediating Is self-worth a mediating variable?variable?

PurposePurpose

To evaluate the links between peer-group To evaluate the links between peer-group functioning and indicators of attachment functioning and indicators of attachment security and insecurity in relation to mother security and insecurity in relation to mother and father in early adolescence.and father in early adolescence.

To investigate differential effects of parent To investigate differential effects of parent gender and child gender.gender and child gender.

To determine whether perceptions of self-To determine whether perceptions of self-worth mediate attachment-peer links.worth mediate attachment-peer links.

We hypothesized that…We hypothesized that…

Security would be related to social competenceSecurity would be related to social competence Insecure-Avoidance would be related to Insecure-Avoidance would be related to

aggressionaggression Insecure-Preoccupied would be related to social Insecure-Preoccupied would be related to social

withdrawalwithdrawal Self-worth would mediate attachment-peer linksSelf-worth would mediate attachment-peer links No specific hypotheses about parent or child No specific hypotheses about parent or child

gendergender

ParticipantsParticipants

73 children (36 boys)73 children (36 boys)

78% European-American78% European-American 11% African American11% African American 3% Asian3% Asian 5% Hispanic5% Hispanic 3% Other3% Other

ProcedureProcedure

Extended Class Play peer nomination Extended Class Play peer nomination procedure.procedure.

Children—questionnaires about attachment Children—questionnaires about attachment and self-worthand self-worth

Mothers—questionnaires about children’s Mothers—questionnaires about children’s behaviorsbehaviors

Teachers—questionnaires about children’s Teachers—questionnaires about children’s behaviorsbehaviors

Extended Class PlayExtended Class Play((Burgess et al., 2004Burgess et al., 2004))

Based on Revised Class Play (Based on Revised Class Play (Masten et al., 1985) Masten et al., 1985) with 10 with 10 items added.items added.

Pretend to be directors of imaginary class play and Pretend to be directors of imaginary class play and nominate classmates for positive and negative roles.nominate classmates for positive and negative roles.

Choose one boy and one girl for each role.Choose one boy and one girl for each role. Scores standardized within sex and classroom.Scores standardized within sex and classroom.

Extended Class Play (ECP)Extended Class Play (ECP)Summary ScoresSummary Scores

(five orthogonal factors)(five orthogonal factors)

Aggression Aggression Shyness/WithdrawalShyness/Withdrawal Rejection/VictimizationRejection/Victimization Leadership/ProsocialLeadership/Prosocial Popularity/SociabilityPopularity/Sociability

Security ScaleSecurity Scale((Kerns, Klepac, & Cole, 1996Kerns, Klepac, & Cole, 1996))

Availability and responsivity of the parent.Availability and responsivity of the parent. Reliance on the parent in times of stress.Reliance on the parent in times of stress. Ease and interest in communicating with Ease and interest in communicating with

the parent.the parent.

Coping Strategies QuestionnaireCoping Strategies Questionnaire((Finnegan, Hodges, & Perry, 1996Finnegan, Hodges, & Perry, 1996))

Two dimensions of insecurity in relation to the Two dimensions of insecurity in relation to the mother—preoccupied (or resistant) coping and mother—preoccupied (or resistant) coping and avoidant coping. avoidant coping.

8 items for Preoccupied coping (alpha = .74)8 items for Preoccupied coping (alpha = .74) 8 items for Avoidant coping (alpha = .60)8 items for Avoidant coping (alpha = .60)

Self-Perception Profile for ChildrenSelf-Perception Profile for Children((Harter, 1985Harter, 1985))

Perceptions of self-competence, adequacy, self-Perceptions of self-competence, adequacy, self-worthworth

36 items; 6 subscales36 items; 6 subscales Global Self-Worth subscale used (alpha = .79)Global Self-Worth subscale used (alpha = .79)

Teacher-Child Rating Scale (T-CRS)Teacher-Child Rating Scale (T-CRS)((Hightower et al., 1986Hightower et al., 1986))

Teacher’s perceptions of the child’s Teacher’s perceptions of the child’s adjustment in terms of behaviors and adjustment in terms of behaviors and competencies in the school contextcompetencies in the school context

38 items, 4 relevant subscales38 items, 4 relevant subscales

Parent-Child Rating Scale (P-CRS)Parent-Child Rating Scale (P-CRS)((Hightower et al., 1988Hightower et al., 1988))

Parent version of the T-CRS, Parent version of the T-CRS,

with some items rewordedwith some items reworded

3 relevant subscales3 relevant subscales

Almost there….Almost there….

Factor Analysis of Peer VariablesFactor Analysis of Peer Variables

Classmates (Extended Class Play)Classmates (Extended Class Play) Teachers (T-CRS)Teachers (T-CRS) Mothers (P-CRS)Mothers (P-CRS)

Factor 1: Anxious/RejectedFactor 1: Anxious/Rejected

ECP Rejected/Victimized (.71)ECP Rejected/Victimized (.71) ECP Shy/Withdrawn (.87)ECP Shy/Withdrawn (.87) T-CRS Shy/Anxious (.65)T-CRS Shy/Anxious (.65) P-CRS Shy/Anxious (.67)P-CRS Shy/Anxious (.67)

Factor 2: AggressiveFactor 2: Aggressive

ECP Aggressive (.86)ECP Aggressive (.86) T-CRS Acting Out (.80)T-CRS Acting Out (.80) P-CRS Acting Out (.57)P-CRS Acting Out (.57)

Factor 3: Socially CompetentFactor 3: Socially Competent

ECP Leadership/Prosocial (.68)ECP Leadership/Prosocial (.68) ECP Popular/Sociable (.76)ECP Popular/Sociable (.76) T-CRS Socially Assertive (.53)T-CRS Socially Assertive (.53) T-CRS Peer Sociability (.63)T-CRS Peer Sociability (.63) P-CRS Peer Sociability (.60)P-CRS Peer Sociability (.60)

Summary of VariablesSummary of Variables Attachment:Attachment:

Security—MotherSecurity—Mother Security—FatherSecurity—Father Preoccupied Coping—MotherPreoccupied Coping—Mother Avoidant Coping—MotherAvoidant Coping—Mother

Global Self-Worth Global Self-Worth Peer Variables:Peer Variables:

Anxious/RejectedAnxious/Rejected AggressiveAggressive Socially CompetentSocially Competent

ResultsResults

Preliminary AnalysesPreliminary Analyses

What are the relations among the attachment What are the relations among the attachment

variables?variables?

AVAV PRE S-DAD PRE S-DAD

Security-MomSecurity-Mom -.35** .16-.35** .16 .49*** .49***

Avoidant-Mom ---- -.15 .02Avoidant-Mom ---- -.15 .02

Preoccupied-Mom ---- -.13Preoccupied-Mom ---- -.13

ResultsResults

Is security related to social competence?Is security related to social competence?

Security—Mom & Social Competence: .35**Security—Mom & Social Competence: .35**

Security—Dad & Social Competence: .25* Security—Dad & Social Competence: .25*

Is avoidant coping related to aggression?Is avoidant coping related to aggression?

Avoidant Coping & Aggression: .24*Avoidant Coping & Aggression: .24*

Also note that…Also note that…

Security—Dad & Aggression: -.28*Security—Dad & Aggression: -.28*

Is preoccupied coping related to anxiety/ Is preoccupied coping related to anxiety/ rejection?rejection?

Preoccupied Coping & Anxiety/Rejection: .21+Preoccupied Coping & Anxiety/Rejection: .21+

Are perceptions of self-worth related to attachment Are perceptions of self-worth related to attachment variables?variables?

Self-Worth & Security—Mom: .32**Self-Worth & Security—Mom: .32** Self-Worth & Security—Dad: .36**Self-Worth & Security—Dad: .36** Self-Worth & Avoidance: -.26*Self-Worth & Avoidance: -.26* Self-Worth & Preoccupied: -.11Self-Worth & Preoccupied: -.11

Are perceptions of self-worth related to peer Are perceptions of self-worth related to peer variables?variables?

Self-Worth & Social Competence .38***Self-Worth & Social Competence .38*** Self-Worth & Aggression: -.20+Self-Worth & Aggression: -.20+ Self-Worth & Anxiety/Rejection: -.42***Self-Worth & Anxiety/Rejection: -.42***

Recall….Recall….

Security—Mom & Social Competence: .35**Security—Mom & Social Competence: .35**

Security—Dad & Social Competence: .25* Security—Dad & Social Competence: .25*

Follow-up Regression: Mother Follow-up Regression: Mother Primacy HypothesisPrimacy Hypothesis

Is Security with Mom or Security with Is Security with Mom or Security with Dad a stronger predictor of Social Dad a stronger predictor of Social Competence?Competence?

Enter both simultaneously….Enter both simultaneously….

Security—Mom: Beta = .36**Security—Mom: Beta = .36** Security—Dad: Beta = .08Security—Dad: Beta = .08

Recall….Recall….

Avoidance—Mom & Aggression: .24*Avoidance—Mom & Aggression: .24*

Security—Dad & Aggression: -.28* Security—Dad & Aggression: -.28*

Follow-up Regression: Mother Follow-up Regression: Mother Primacy HypothesisPrimacy Hypothesis

Is Avoidance with Mom or (lack of) Is Avoidance with Mom or (lack of) Security with Dad a stronger predictor of Security with Dad a stronger predictor of Aggression?Aggression?

Enter both simultaneously….Enter both simultaneously….

Avoidance—Mom: Beta = .14Avoidance—Mom: Beta = .14 Security—Dad: Beta = -.32*Security—Dad: Beta = -.32*

Same-Sex Linkage?Same-Sex Linkage?

Child Gender X Parent Gender ANOVA on Child Gender X Parent Gender ANOVA on Attachment Security variableAttachment Security variable

Child Gender was not significantChild Gender was not significant Parent Gender was significant (Parent Gender was significant (p p < .01):< .01):

Children had higher scores for Security—Mom Children had higher scores for Security—Mom than for Security—Dad.than for Security—Dad.

Self-Worth as MediatorSelf-Worth as Mediator

Self-WorthSelf-Worth

AttachmentAttachment Peer Peer VariableVariable

Self-Worth as MediatorSelf-Worth as Mediator Attachment, self-worth, and peer variable had to Attachment, self-worth, and peer variable had to

be significantly intercorrelated.be significantly intercorrelated.

Four groups of variables met this criterion:Four groups of variables met this criterion: Security-Mom and Social CompetenceSecurity-Mom and Social Competence Avoidance and AggressionAvoidance and Aggression Security-Dad and AggressionSecurity-Dad and Aggression Security-Dad and Social CompetenceSecurity-Dad and Social Competence

Used Baron & Kenny (1986) procedure plus Sobel Used Baron & Kenny (1986) procedure plus Sobel (1982) test.(1982) test.



Security-MomSecurity-Mom Social Comp.Social Comp.

Direct: .68Direct: .68With Mediator: .48 (With Mediator: .48 (p <p < .05) .05)



Security-DadSecurity-Dad Social Comp.Social Comp.

Direct: .32Direct: .32

With Mediator: .17 (With Mediator: .17 (p <p < .05) .05)



AvoidanceAvoidance AggressionAggression


With Mediator: .68 (ns)With Mediator: .68 (ns)



Security-DadSecurity-Dad AggressionAggression

Direct: -.36Direct: -.36

With Mediator: -.25+With Mediator: -.25+

Don’t celebrate just yet…..Don’t celebrate just yet…..

Is Self-Worth a Mediator Is Self-Worth a Mediator or an Outcome??or an Outcome??

Self-Worth as OutcomeSelf-Worth as Outcome

Peer VariablePeer Variable

AttachmentAttachment Self-WorthSelf-Worth


Social CompetenceSocial Competence

Security-Mom Security-Mom Self-WorthSelf-Worth


With Mediator: .34 (With Mediator: .34 (p <p < .05) .05)


AggressionAggression

Avoidance Avoidance Self-WorthSelf-Worth

Direct: -.64Direct: -.64

With Mediator: -.55 (ns)With Mediator: -.55 (ns)


AggressionAggression

Security-Dad Security-Dad Self-Worth Self-Worth


With Mediator: .32 (ns)With Mediator: .32 (ns)


Social CompetenceSocial Competence

Security-Dad Security-Dad Self-Worth Self-Worth


With Mediator: .30+With Mediator: .30+

ConclusionsConclusions

Attachment security in middle childhood is Attachment security in middle childhood is related to peer-group functioningrelated to peer-group functioning

Evidence for Specific Linkage hypothesisEvidence for Specific Linkage hypothesis Some evidence for Mother Primacy Some evidence for Mother Primacy

hypothesishypothesis No evidence for Same-Sex Linkage No evidence for Same-Sex Linkage

hypothesishypothesis Some evidence for self-worth as a mediating Some evidence for self-worth as a mediating

variable, but could be an outcome insteadvariable, but could be an outcome instead

DiscussionDiscussion

Results in relation to attachment theoryResults in relation to attachment theory Attachment measurement in middle Attachment measurement in middle

childhood (issue of preoccupied coping)childhood (issue of preoccupied coping) Fathers and aggressionFathers and aggression Self-worth and other mediatorsSelf-worth and other mediators Attachment in developmental contextAttachment in developmental context

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Security, Self-Worth, and Social Functioning in Early Adolescence