Emotional development in children with different attachment histories: Thefirst three years

The development of fear, anger, and joy was examined in 112 children using a longitudinal design. Children were observed at 9, 14, 22, and 33 months i n standard laboratory episodes designed to elicit fear, anger, or joy. At 2 4 months, mother-child attachment was assessed in the Strange Situation. Th e attachment groups (avoidant, secure, resistant, and disorganized/unclassi fiable) differed in the trajectories of emotional development, with the dif ferences first apparent at 14 months of age. Resistant children were the mo st fearful and least joyful, and fear was their strongest emotion. More tha n secure children, they responded with distress even in episodes designed t o elicit joy. When examined longitudinally, over the second and third years , secure children became significantly less angry. In contrast, insecure ch ildren's negative emotions increased: Avoidant children became more fearful , resistant children became less joyful, and disorganized/unclassifiable ch ildren became more angry. Higher attachment security uniquely predicted tha t at 33 months, children would show less fear and anger in episodes designe d to elicit fear and anger, and less distress in episodes designed to elici t joy, even in conservative regression analyses controlling for all the ear lier emotion scores.