Belsky Study (1988)

Belsky Study (1988)

1. Aim

   • To investigate the effects of day care on attachment relationships.

2. Method

   • Meta-analysis
   • Collated results of a number of previously published studies
   • Data gathered included
     • Time per week young children spent in non-maternal care
     • Information about the child's type of attachment

3. Results: out of 464 children

   • Day care for less than 20 hours per week
     • 26% showed insecure attachments
   • Day care for more than 20 hours per week
     • 41% showed insecure attachments

4. Conclusion

   • There was some evidence that 20+ hours per week in non-maternal day care has a negative effect on attachment security
     • Especially for children under 1 year
   • Barnes (1995) notes that these differences in attachment may be due to other factors
     • Type of substitute care
     • Reasons for mothers needing to work longer hours