Abstract
Utilizing the Emotional Security Theory (EST; Davies & Cummings, 1994) the current study examined links between parent depression, interparental conflict, parenting behavior, and infant emotional security. Seventy-four families with infants 6-14 months old participated. Behavioral observations examined mothers' and fathers' parenting during a triadic task, interparental conflict (i.e., destructive, depressive, and constructive), and infants' emotional insecurity. Parent depression was assessed via the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Path analyses revealed that fathers' depression was significantly associated with each type of interparental conflict; maternal depression symptoms were only associated with depressive conflict. In turn, constructive parenting was associated with more sensitive parenting and less detachment for both parents. Destructive conflict was negatively associated with paternal sensitive parenting. Maternal and paternal detachment were associated with infant emotional insecurity, as was paternal sensitivity. Fewer significant links were found for mothers. Suggestions for future research and implications for family practitioners are discussed.
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