ATTACHMENT, PARENTING, AND PEER INTERACTIONS OF TODDLER CHILDREN

The relation of parenting variables and attachment classification to p eer relations was studied for 156 families with toddler children. Chil dren were observed at 18 months of age in the home with their parents and from 18 to 24 months of age in peer playgroups. Playgroup teachers rated the children's ability to get along with their peers. Also when children were 18 months, they were assessed with their mothers in-the Strange Situation, and an attachment classification was made. There w ere significant differences in peer reactions to children of different attachment classifications. Insecure-resistant children received fewe r positive reactions to their positive behaviors, and both resistant a nd avoidant children received more negative reactions to their positiv e behaviors. Hierarchical regressions were computed to examine the con tribution of observed parent-child interactions and the attachment cla ssification to peer interactions.