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Models of child–parent attachment in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Links to executive functions
Author(s) -
AlYagon Michal
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
personal relationships
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.81
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1475-6811
pISSN - 1350-4126
DOI - 10.1111/pere.12232
Subject(s) - psychology , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , developmental psychology , insecure attachment , attachment theory , cluster (spacecraft) , executive functions , clinical psychology , cognition , psychiatry , computer science , programming language
This study explored multiple attachment relationships and examined four conceptual models of child–mother/father attachment— monotropy, hierarchy , independence , integration —to explain executive functioning (EF) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) versus typical development (TD; n = 50 each; age: M = 11.45, SD = .50). Significant ADHD versus TD differences emerged on all EF measures and on distribution into four clusters (secure attachment to both parents, neither parent, only father, only mother). For both groups, results supported two attachment models: (a) monotropy : child–mother attachment predicted all EF measures; child–father attachment predicted none and (b) integration : clusters differed significantly on all EF measures. Children with ADHD comprised ∼74% of the high‐risk cluster (concordant insecure attachment, highest EF difficulties). Discussion focused on unique risk/protective roles played by each parental attachment for understanding EF in children with ADHD or TD.