Parent-Child Antecedents of 5-Year-Olds' Close Friendships: A Longitudinal Analysis

A longitudinal study of 73 families was extended to examine links between early parent-child relationships measured at 1 (in the Strange Situation) and 3 (in a laboratory observation) years and the target child's relationship with a close friend at 5 years of age (in a laboratory observation). Path analysis was used to test developmental models of parent-child antecedents of dyadic positive and negative friendship behavior. Results indicated that more positive and secure parent-child relationships are associated with more positive friendships and more negative family relationships with more negative friendships. However, several counterintuitive findings also emerged suggestive of compensatory processes. Specific findings illuminate the role of early attachment relationships and differential maternal and paternal effects.