Security of Attachment Between Preschoolers and Their Mothers: Relations Among Social Interaction, Parenting Stress, and Mothers' Sorts of the Attachment Q-Set

Construct validity of maternally derived Attachment Q-Set security scores as indexes of attachment security was examined in this study of preschool-age children. Q-Set security scores related positively to sensitive, involved, flexible mothering and to preschoolers' sociability toward mother during laboratory free-play observations. In addition, Q-Set scores related negatively to children's negative affectivity during free play, which included ratings of their irritability, avoidance and resistance, and assertive/aggressive behaviors. Q-Set security scores were also associated with levels of parenting stress as indexed by the Parenting Stress Index, particularly with dimensions that tap child functioning. Collectively, these findings were consistent with predictions from attachment theory and add to growing evidence in support of the use of the Attachment Q-Set as an index of early attachment.