Parenting reflectivity and mind-mindedness as unique predictors of children's attachment security and social–emotional development
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Department/School
Psychology
Publication Title
British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Abstract
The current longitudinal study aimed to examine two forms of parental mentalization, parenting reflectivity and mind-mindedness, as predictors of children's attachment security and social–emotional development at 2 years old. Participants included 88 racially and socioeconomically diverse women and their toddlers. Results showed prenatal parenting reflectivity significantly predicted toddler attachment security. Mothers' use of appropriate mind-related comments did not significantly predict toddler attachment security, social–emotional competence or social–emotional problems cross-sectionally above and beyond prenatal or 2-year parenting reflectivity. A mediation analysis, however, revealed an indirect relationship between prenatal parenting reflectivity and toddler attachment security via appropriate mind-related comments. The results of the present study indicate that early parenting reflectivity may serve as an important predictor of later attachment security and social–emotional development and that prenatal parenting reflectivity may serve as a precursor to parents' use of mind-minded comments with their children.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Pitzen, J., Lawler, J., Chow, C. M., Arble, E., & Huth-Bocks, A. C. (2025). Parenting reflectivity and mind-mindedness as unique predictors of children’s attachment security and social–emotional development. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 43(4), 873–888. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12560
Comments
J. Lawler, C. M. Chow, and E. Arble are faculty members in EMU's Department of Psychology.
*J. Pritzen is a doctoral student in EMU's Department of Psychology.