The Impact of Temperament on Attachment: A Study investigating the interaction of Parent and Toddler Temperament

Abstract

The role of temperament in the development of attachment with both mothers and fathers was investigated in a sample of 27 toddlers. In line with expectations prior to the research, neither parental characteristics nor infant temperament, individually, were significantly related to attachment outcome. However, the interaction of maternal characteristics and toddler temperament (measured using the Toddler Temperament Scale) was found to be significantly related to attachment outcome. Contrary to expectations, father-toddler relationships evidenced different trends in the effect of the interaction of toddler temperament (TTS) and paternal characteristics.