Work

Quantitatively representing real-time emotion dynamics: Attachment-based differences in mothers’ emotion experiences.

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: ] = 20.9 months) reported on their positive emotion, closeness/distance with their children, and perceptions of their children's positive emotion, up to 5 times per day for 10 days. We fit a dynamic structural equation model (DSEM) in order to evaluate attachment-based differences in mothers' emotional equilibrium (i.e., mean levels of positive emotion), intraindividual volatility in positive emotion, within-person emotional inertia, and cross-lagged emotion processes over time. Attachment anxiety was related to lower average maternal positive emotion ratings and to greater volatility in mothers' positive emotion and emotional closeness/distance. Attachment avoidance was related to higher average ratings of emotional distance, stronger inertia in mothers' positive emotion, and weaker inertia in mothers' emotional distance. Among mothers who were higher on attachment avoidance, emotional distance was related to greater subsequent feelings of positive emotion and perceived child positive emotion. The results are aligned with theory and have specific implications for attachment-informed parenting interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Journal of Family Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/fam0000617