Relationship between Parent-Child Attachment and Problem Behaviors among Chinese Firstborn Children in Family Transitions: A Meta-Analysis

The implementation of China’s three-child fertility policy has led to a notable increase in multiple-child families.Notably,firstborn children experience a significant transition from being an only child to a non-only child.This transition is associated with problematic behaviors,affecting their social adjustment,sibling relationships,and family harmony.Although several studies have examined the relationship between parent-child attachment and problem behaviors exhibited byfirstborn children during family transitions,thefindings have been inconsistent.Hence,a meta-analytic study was undertaken to elucidate the inconsistencies in this relationship and explore the moderating factors that may contribute to these discrepancies.Using a systematic literature retrieval and screening method,12 effect sizes were derived from the 10 eligible articles,encompassing a sample size of 5319.The meta-analysis demonstrated a low negative association between parent-child secure attachment and problem behaviors exhibited byfirstborn children during family transitions.Furthermore,the present study investigates potential moderator factors,such as children’s age and geographic region,to gain a more nuanced understanding of the relationship.Consequently,the establishment of parent-child attachment relationships has the potential to mitigate problem behaviors observed infirst-born children during family transitions.The implications of thesefindings indicate that parents can nurture secure attachment bonds with their children by demonstrating sensitive responsiveness,employing positive parenting practices,and fostering emotional availability.These efforts contribute to the cultivation of secure internal working models and positive behavioral manifestations withinfirst-born children,which in turn affect their relationships with siblings.

An overview of studies on psychological well-being in children born following assisted reproductive technologies

Over the course of the past 35 years,assisted reproductive technologies(ARTs)have been increasingly used worldwide,while debates on their safety have been generated.Birth defects and imprinting disorders were reported in previous research.Thus,the psychological development of children born following ARTs has become a major concern nowadays.This review gives a systematic view of psychological well-being of children conceived by different types of ART,including in vitro fertilization,intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI),preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening,and in vitro maturation.The previous studies are analyzed in three sections:(1)cognitive,motor,and language developments,(2)behavior problems and socio-emotional development,and(3)parent-child relationship.We conclude that although the majority of the studies on cognitive,motor,and language developments reported comparable achievements in the ART group vs.the naturally conceived group,lower intelligence quotient(IQ)scores,worse visual-motor ability or locomotor development,and delayed receptive language competence were found in the ART group.The results on the socio-emotional development were reassuring.As for the behavior problems,a higher prevalence of behavior problems existed in ART children;moreover,ICSI children were found to be at a higher risk of autism than the general population.Meanwhile,ART parents tended to have positive parental attitudes and be more protective of their children.Some suggestions for further research are also given in this review.