Social Functioning with Mother and Peers at 2 and 5 Years: The Influence of Attachment

Abstract

Patterns of social interactions and the relation of these patterns to quality of attachment to the mother were examined at 2 and 5 years. At 2 years, 49 children and their mothers were observed in three free-play sessions which included the child, his or her mother, and a familiar peer. At 5 years, 33 children returned for a fourth session of mother-child-peer. Analysis of the interactions within sessions indicated a "balanced" pattern in that interaction with one partner (mother) reduced opportunities for interaction with the other (peer). The quality of attachment to the mother at 2 years had an effect on social responsivity to both mother and peer; insecure attachment to the mother predicted decreased social responsivity to both mother and peer at 2 years. Mothers' patterns of social interactions with their children were examined in an effort to explain possible discontinuities in the relationship between attachment and responsivity. Implications for attachment theory and the assessment of attachment are discussed.