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The relationship between biased maternal and filial attributions and the aggressiveness of their interactions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2008

Carol Mackinnon-Lewis ,
Michael E. Lamb ,
Barry Arbuckle ,
Laila P. Baradaran  and
Brenda L. Volling
Carol Mackinnon-Lewis*
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Michael E. Lamb
Affiliation:
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Barry Arbuckle
Affiliation:
Miller Children's Hospital
Laila P. Baradaran
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Brenda L. Volling
Affiliation:
The Carolina Consortium on Human Development
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Carol MacKinnon-Lewis, Family Research Center, Department of Child Development and Family Relations, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412.
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Abstract

This study examined the relation between maternal and filial attributions and the aggressiveness of their interactions. We also examined whether or not certain setting conditions (e.g., maternal and child depression, maternal and child negative life events, marital conflict, socioeconomic status) predispose some mothers and children to make negative attributions and interact coercively. One hundred four mothers and sons (age 7–9 years) from married and divorced families participated. They completed questionnaire and interview data and were observed while participating in two gamelike tasks (e.g., Trouble, Etch-a-Sketch). Both maternal and child attributions were significantly related to their coercive interactions. The most aggressive dyads were those in which both mothers and sons perceived hostile intent in the other. The relations between attributions and coercive interactions were found to be moderated by marital conflict, and maternal education, such that the association between attributions and coercive behavior, was stronger when marital conflict was low and the mothers were better educated.

Type
Research Article
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , July 1992 , pp. 403 - 415
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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