Maternal verbal co-construction skills: associations with maternal sensitivity and toddlers' attachment security

Introduction This study investigated whether organizational characteristics of mothers' verbalizations (i.e., co-construction skills) when creating attachment-related stories with their children are related to maternal behavioral sensitivity and child behavioral attachment security. Methods Fifty-four 2.5-year-olds and their mothers from Mid-West USA participated in three sessions: lab, home, and playground. Three organizational characteristics of maternal verbalizations were assessed during a joint storytelling task in the lab: creating a co-constructive atmosphere, encouraging content elaboration, and supporting explanatory frameworks. Observations of maternal sensitivity and child attachment security were completed both at home and at the playground; composites of sensitivity and security across contexts were used in analyses. Results As expected, sensitivity and security were significantly associated. Co-construction skills were significantly associated with maternal sensitivity. Contrary to expectations, co-construction skills were not related to child security. Discussions Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.