| Children's maternal attachments have a profound influence on development across the life cycle. Extant research demonstrates associations between maternal attachment and child socio-emotional outcomes. A meta-analysis documents that maternal attachment is also a significant, albeit weak, predictor of cognitive outcomes (van IJzendoorn, Dijkstra, & Bus, 1995). Research on maternal attachment and cognitive development, however, has been limited by two methodological concerns. First, the majority of research examines the effects of attachment security vs. insecurity, rather than specific patterns of attachment, on cognitive skills. Second, no empirical research has been conducted to investigate the mechanisms through which maternal attachment influences cognitive skills. The purpose of this study was to address each of these limitations.; In the current study associations between children's maternal attachment styles and cognitive skills were examined using phase I and II data from the NICHD Study of Early Care and Youth Development, a prospective study of 1,364 children and families from birth through sixth grade. Children's cognitive skill level at first grade was regressed on blocks of predictors that included maternal attachment at 36 months. There were three main findings. First, ambivalent and insecure/other attachment were negative predictors of cognitive skills. Second, the effect of ambivalent attachment on cognitive skills was mediated through child attention. Third, the effect of insecure/other attachment on cognitive skills was mediated through child attention, child exploration and maternal instruction. Implications for attachment theory and education are discussed. |
