Middle Childhood Support‐Seeking Behavior During Stress: Links With Self‐Reported Attachment and Future Depressive Symptoms

• DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12491
• Publication Date: 2016-01-29T04:50:29Z
• Authors: Adinda Dujardin; Tara Santens; Caroline Braet; Rudi De Raedt; Pieter Vos; Bea Maes; Guy Bosmans
• Keywords: Depression

This study tested whether children's more anxious and avoidant attachment is linked to decreased support‐seeking behavior toward their mother during stress in middle childhood, enhances the impact of experiencing life events on increase depressive symptoms 18 months later. Ninety‐eight 8‐ 12‐year‐old children filled out questionnaires assessing level symptoms. Children's was observed through measuring time waited before calling for mother's help while carrying a stressful task. Results supported hypothesis that anxiously or avoidantly attached longer seeking maternal support. Moreover, waiting related increased at follow‐up who reported experienced events.