PSYCHOSOCIAL RISK, ATTACHMENT, AND BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AMONG SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

The role of environmental risk and protective factors (attachment, ver bal intelligence) in school-aged children's adaptation was examined. S ubjects were 45 7-year-old children from low socioeconomic status envi ronments. Security of attachment to mother was assessed by reunion beh avior in the laboratory following an hour-long separation. Mothers and teachers reported on behavior problems using the Child Behavior Check list. Results revealed a higher proportion of insecure attachments and behavior problems than in low-risk populations. Greater risk and less security were associated with poorer behavioral adaptation. Multiple regressions tested a model of protective processes; results demonstrat ed main effects of attachment security, even after controlling for ext ent of environmental risk.