ABSTRACT

Traditional conceptualizations of maternal sensitivity overlook the adaptive function of some parenting behaviors. This study examined mothers’ preparation for bias, suppression responses, and supportive responses to their Black children’s distress as indicators of secure base provision at age five and predictors of children’s age six emotional and behavioral self-regulation. Participants included 91 Black children (52% female) and their mothers. Results indicated a significant 3-way interaction such that mothers’ preparation for bias predicted children’s greater self-regulation when mothers reported high support and moderate suppression in response to children’s distress, b = .40, p < .001. Preparation for bias predicted children’s lower self-regulation when mothers were highly supportive yet low on suppression responses to distress, b = −.31, p < .01. Attachment researchers should consider evaluating caregiving behaviors traditionally deemed insensitive (e.g. parental suppression) through the lens of serving an adaptive function within a complex system of protective practices among Black families.

摘要

母亲敏感性的传统概念忽略了一些育儿行为的适应性功能。这项研究检查了母亲对偏见、抑制反应和对黑人孩子痛苦的支持性反应的准备，作为五岁时安全基础供应的指标和六岁儿童情绪和行为自我调节的预测指标。参与者包括 91 名黑人儿童（52% 为女性）及其母亲。结果表明，当母亲报告对孩子的痛苦给予高度支持和适度抑制时，母亲对偏见的准备预测了孩子更大的自我调节，b = .40，p < .001，存在显着的三向相互作用。准备偏差预测儿童的低当母亲高度支持但对痛苦的抑制反应较低时的自我调节，b = -.31，p <.01。依恋研究人员应考虑通过在黑人家庭的复杂保护实践系统中提供适应性功能来评估传统上被认为不敏感的照顾行为（例如父母压制）。