Addresses questions about group comparisons and the extent to which the original Sigman and Ruskin study identified specific, unique, and universal deficits in autism. Considers the alternate methodology for measuring improvements in the performance of children with Down syndrome and autism. (JPB)

Discusses a theoretical rationale for studying family narratives as indicators of family functioning and influence on child development. Considers the development of a multidimensional coding scheme for these narratives. Presents analyses conducted across four study sites, including data on interrater reliability, confirmatory factor analysis, and…

The Syracuse Dinnertime project investigated the relationship between family dinnertime rituals and narratives and child behavior. Findings indicated that couples that worked together to tell their family story also worked together and with their children in positive dinnertime exchanges. Narratives were not significantly related to child behavior…

Examined family narratives among adoptive parents. Found that individual interviews of parents in open adoptions showed greater narrative coherence than those with parents in mediated adoptions; joint interviews produced greater narrative coherence than individual interviews; more coherence in joint interviews was correlated with partners' greater…

Investigated differences in family narratives between mothers with and those without current depressive symptoms as an indicator of family functioning. Found that Family Narrative Consortium measures of narrative coherence distinguished level of symptom severity. Found that more coherent narratives were associated with marital satisfaction,…

Investigated reliability of the Family Narrative Consortium (FNC) scales for measuring the effect of social context on construction of family narratives. Analyzed data from four FNC studies to determine reliability of scale dimensions of narrative coherence, narrative interaction, and relationship beliefs. Found that the scale was a set of…

Discusses aspects of the Family Narrative Consortium's multisite, multidisciplinary collaboration to study the effect of social context on family narratives. Considers the value of the study for developing a coding system for narratives that yields comparable results across research sites. Examines the measures, epistemological issues,…

Reviews conceptual background on atypical patterns of early attachments, including basic theoretical terms and constructs of attachment theory; the nature and function of the original classification system; notions of "exceptional cases" or "atypical patterns"; and implications of atypicality for both a classification system of attachment behavior…

Examines possible neurological causes of the various indices of D attachment status. Describes a system of attachment categories and the criteria for assessing disorganized and disoriented behavior, pointing out which of these behaviors may result from neurological abnormalities. Suggests a strategy for differentiating neurological risk status…

Investigated the influence of child intellectual/adaptive functioning and maternal sensitivity on attachment security, using a sample of children with Down syndrome. Found a relationship between attachment security in DS related to the interaction of maternal sensitivity and cognitive competence. (JPB)

Studied mothers' behavior toward their infants with disorganized (type D) attachment strategies. Found that mothers whose infants are classified disorganized exhibit an elevated level of atypical maternal behaviors in the Strange Situation test. Mothers of type D Forced Insecure infants showed more negative-intrusive behaviors and role confusion…

Investigated relationship between children's negative expressivity to the formation of an Insecure- Disorganized/Disoriented, Type D attachment pattern in follow-up of maltreated and nonmaltreated children at 12 and 24 months of age. Found that experiencing maltreatment in infancy was associated with Type D attachment through the toddler years,…

Investigated role of maternal characteristics and behavior, perceptions of social support, and infant characteristics to differentiate early patterns of infant security, organized insecurity and disorganization among socioeconomically disadvantaged families. Found a variety of correlations with different attachment patterns. Also found that change…

Considers alternative ways of conceptualizing patterns of attachment, arguing that danger prompts organization of protective strategies in children. Discusses issues of what is normal versus atypical; complex organization versus disorganization; neurological disorders and temperament; assessment of patterns of attachment and analysis of attachment…

Discusses the role of a study of atypical patterns of attachment behavior for the understanding of attachment theory, parenting, and child socioemotional development. Notes that research on atypical attachments suggest that the developmental integration of biological, psychological, and behavioral responses is more profoundly dependent on social-…