Parenting reflectivity and mind-mindedness as unique predictors of children's attachment security and social-emotional development.

Abstract

The current longitudinal study aimed to examine two forms of parental mentalization, parenting reflectivity and mind-mindedness, as predictors of children's attachment security and social-emotional development at 2 years old. Participants included 88 racially and socioeconomically diverse women and their toddlers. Results showed prenatal parenting reflectivity significantly predicted toddler attachment security. Mothers' use of appropriate mind-related comments did not significantly predict toddler attachment security, social-emotional competence or social-emotional problems cross-sectionally above and beyond prenatal or 2-year parenting reflectivity. A mediation analysis, however, revealed an indirect relationship between prenatal parenting reflectivity and toddler attachment security via appropriate mind-related comments. The results of the present study indicate that early parenting reflectivity may serve as an important predictor of later attachment security and social-emotional development and that prenatal parenting reflectivity may serve as a precursor to parents' use of mind-minded comments with their children.