TY - JOUR
T1 - The Association Between Paternal Sensitivity and Infant-Father Attachment Security
T2 - A Meta-Analysis of Three Decades of Research
AU - Lucassen, Nicole
AU - Tharner, Anne
AU - Van IJzendoorn, Marinus H.
AU - Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J.
AU - Volling, Brenda L.
AU - Verhulst, Frank C.
AU - Lambregtse-Van den Berg, Mijke P.
AU - Tiemeier, Henning
PY - 2011/12/1
Y1 - 2011/12/1
N2 - For almost three decades, the association between paternal sensitivity and infant-father attachment security has been studied. The first wave of studies on the correlates of infant-father attachment showed a weak association between paternal sensitivity and infant-father attachment security (r =13, p <001, k = 8, N = 546). In the current paper, a meta-analysis of the association between paternal sensitivity and infant-father attachment based on all studies currently available is presented, and the change over time of the association between paternal sensitivity and infant-father attachment is investigated. Studies using an observational measure of paternal interactive behavior with the infant, and the Strange Situation Procedure to observe the attachment relationship were included. Paternal sensitivity is differentiated from paternal sensitivity combined with stimulation in the interaction with the infant. Higher levels of paternal sensitivity were associated with more infant-father attachment security (r =12, p <.001, k = 16, N = 1,355). Fathers' sensitive play combined with stimulation was not more strongly associated with attachment security than sensitive interactions without stimulation of play. Despite possible changes in paternal role patterns, we did not find stronger associations between paternal sensitivity and infant attachment in more recent years.
AB - For almost three decades, the association between paternal sensitivity and infant-father attachment security has been studied. The first wave of studies on the correlates of infant-father attachment showed a weak association between paternal sensitivity and infant-father attachment security (r =13, p <001, k = 8, N = 546). In the current paper, a meta-analysis of the association between paternal sensitivity and infant-father attachment based on all studies currently available is presented, and the change over time of the association between paternal sensitivity and infant-father attachment is investigated. Studies using an observational measure of paternal interactive behavior with the infant, and the Strange Situation Procedure to observe the attachment relationship were included. Paternal sensitivity is differentiated from paternal sensitivity combined with stimulation in the interaction with the infant. Higher levels of paternal sensitivity were associated with more infant-father attachment security (r =12, p <.001, k = 16, N = 1,355). Fathers' sensitive play combined with stimulation was not more strongly associated with attachment security than sensitive interactions without stimulation of play. Despite possible changes in paternal role patterns, we did not find stronger associations between paternal sensitivity and infant attachment in more recent years.
KW - Attachment
KW - Father
KW - Meta-analysis
KW - Sensitivity
KW - Stimulation
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U2 - 10.1037/a0025855
DO - 10.1037/a0025855
M3 - Article
C2 - 22004434
AN - SCOPUS:84255209106
SN - 0893-3200
VL - 25
SP - 986
EP - 992
JO - Journal of Family Psychology
JF - Journal of Family Psychology
IS - 6
ER -