Mothers’ preparation for bias and responses to children’s distress predict positive adjustment among Black children: an attachment perspective

Traditional conceptualizations of maternal sensitivity overlook the adaptive function of some parenting behaviors. This study examined mothers’ preparation for bias, suppression responses, and supportive responses to their Black children’s distress as indicators of secure base provision at age five and predictors of children’s age six emotional and behavioral self-regulation. Participants included 91 Black children (52% female) and their mothers. Results indicated a significant 3-way interaction such that mothers’ preparation for bias predicted children’s greater self-regulation when mothers reported high support and moderate suppression in response to children’s distress, b = .40, p < .001. Preparation for bias predicted children’s lower self-regulation when mothers were highly supportive yet low on suppression responses to distress, b = −.31, p < .01. Attachment researchers should consider evaluating caregiving behaviors traditionally deemed insensitive (e.g. parental suppression) through the lens of serving an adaptive function within a complex system of protective practices among Black families.