Maternal Early Parent Attachment and Social Interest: The Effect of Attachment Anxiety and Attachment Avoidance

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between maternal early parental attachment (EPA) and social interest. The participants were 311 mothers with elementary schoolchildren who lived in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area. Data were collected through an online questionnaire provided on the portal site and analyzed using k-means clustering, <i>t</i>-test, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 for Windows and, RMSEA, TLI, NFI and CFI using IBM SPSS AMOS 18 for Windows. The principal results were as follows. Firstly, mothers’ EPA anxiety and avoidance had a negative influence on social interest. Secondly, social interest was found to be significantly higher among mothers with a secure attachment style than among mothers with an insecure attachment style. Thirdly, significant differences were observed in levels of social interest among mothers with secure, preoccupied, dismissive, and disorientated attachment styles. A Scheffé post-hoc test revealed that social interest was significantly higher among mothers with a secure attachment style than among mothers with a disorientated attachment style. The experience of relationships with caregivers early in life is therefore important in the development of social interest.