Korean J Child Stud. 2001; 22(2): 29-47.

Behavioral Inhibition as a Function of Child`s Early Emotionality , Parenting , and Mother - Child Attachment

아동의 초기 정서성 , 양육행동 및 모자녀 애착과 남 , 여 아동의 행동억제간의 관계

박성은,박성연

Seong Eun Park,Seong Yeon Park

In this study of 79 3- and 4-year-old children, behavioral inhibition was assessed by their preschool teachers; mother-child attachment was assessed by the researchers in home visits; and mothers reported on their parenting and their child`s emotionality at 6-12 months of age. Findings were that insecure attachment was related to high child`s distress reactions to limitations (negative emotionality) in early infancy and to strong maternal rejection/hostility. Higher maternal sensitivity to child`s inhibition was related to more secure attachment. Girls were more highly inhibited than boys. Smiling and laughter (positive emotionality) in early infancy was negatively related to child`s inhibited behavior. Maternal sensitivity to child inhibition was positively related to child`s inhibited behavior. Findings are consistent with Engfer`s (1993) theory of gender differences in developmental paths into behavioral inhibition.