Fathers' and Mothers' Emotional Accessibility and Youth's Developmental Outcomes

Validation and cross-cultural comparisons of the German Childhood Attachment and Relational Trauma Screen (CARTS)

“…In this context, paired comparisons revealed that mothers were generally rated as being more positive, emotionally available and a greater source of security and proximity than fathers, which is consistent with previous research (Clay et al, 2017 ; Hallers-Haalboom et al, 2014 ; Lovas, 2005 ). In contrast, fathers were reported to be significantly more physically and sexually abusive than mothers.…”

“…Accordingly, on the one hand, respondents reporting a good and secure relationship with their mother tend to report a good and secure relationship with their father and so on, but the lack of stronger correlations on the other demonstrates the potential independence of attachment securities one may experience with each parent. From ratings concerning the Self in relation to Mother or Father ratings, it can further be assumed that both Mother’s and Father’s emotional constitution (measured by Negative Affect ) have a crucial impact on a child, stressing the equal relevance of both parents in child-rearing (Clay et al, 2017 ). In parallel, physical abuse by mother or father may subsequently lead to a higher potential of becoming violent oneself (Ben-David, Jonson-Reid, Drake, & Kohl, 2015 ).…”

“…For example, the protective role of a secure attachment relationship between child and caregiver has been evidenced in prior research (Cicchetti & Toth, 2016 ). In this respect, gender differences in attachment were found, with mothers tending to be more emotionally accessible and sensitive (Clay, Coates, Tran, & Phares, 2017 ; Hallers-Haalboom et al, 2014 ; Lovas, 2005 ). In general, secure attachment is promoted by sensitive caretaking, responsiveness and adequate affect regulation (Bowlby, 1969 ).…”