Indiscriminate friendliness in foster children: Associations with attachment security, foster parents’ sensitivity, and child inhibitory control

Nikita K Schoemaker,Elisa Van Ee,Femmie Juffer,Athanasios Maras,Harriet J Vermeer,Ruan Spies,Lenneke R A Alink

doi:10.1177/2516103220940325

Abstract

Indiscriminate friendliness (IF) is atypical behavior often seen in postinstitutionalized and foster children. The current exploratory study examined the associations of children’s attachment security, parental sensitivity, and child inhibitory control with reported and observed IF in 60 family-reared, never-institutionalized foster children. IF was measured with a parent-report questionnaire (Indiscriminate Friendliness Questionnaire) and an observational measure (adapted version of the Stranger at the Door procedure; Bucharest Early Intervention Project). Attachment security and inhibitory control were related to reported IF (i.e., a secure attachment and poor inhibitory control were associated with higher levels of IF), but parental sensitivity was not. No associations were found between observed IF and attachment security, parental sensitivity, or inhibitory control. Thus, foster children with a secure attachment relationship may be more prone to socially interact with others including strangers, whereas better inhibitory control may serve as a buffer against IF but these results were found for reported IF only. More research is needed to gain more knowledge about different measures, other possible correlates, and underlying mechanisms of IF.

Highlights

Indiscriminate friendliness (IF), known as disinhibited social behavior, is typically seen in children adopted from institutions and in foster care (Bakermans-Kranenburg et al, 2011; Love et al, 2015; Van den Dries et al, 2012)
IF, like other types of social behavior, may be explained from attachment theory
For reported IF, foster parents whose attachment relationships with their children were classified as secure reported higher levels of IF and children with better inhibitory control displayed lower levels of IF according to their foster parents but only when all other variables were taken into account

Summary

Introduction

Indiscriminate friendliness (IF), known as disinhibited social behavior, is typically seen in children adopted from institutions and in foster care (Bakermans-Kranenburg et al, 2011; Love et al, 2015; Van den Dries et al, 2012). IF, like other types of social behavior, may be (partly) explained from attachment theory ( the role played by parental sensitivity in the etiology of attachment relationships). Individual child characteristics, such as child temperament, may be associated with IF. The current study aimed to investigate the associations between children’s attachment security, parental sensitivity, and inhibitory control as a temperamental trait, with IF in foster children. Pre-test data of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the effectiveness of Videofeedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline in Foster Care (VIPP-FC; Schoemaker et al, 2018) were used for this study

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion