Abstract
The convergence between sensitivity scores on the Ainsworth and Emotional Availability Scales was examined, along with their associations with maternal warmth, children’s language ability and likeability by peers in preschool. Participants were 167 mothers and their child aged 4–6 (55.7% girls) from the four major ethnic groups in Singapore (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Other). Emotional availability (EA) sensitivity was positively related to Ainsworth sensitivity and maternal warmth, but the overlap was not large, pointing to key conceptual differences that were discussed in light of cultural considerations. Contrary to expectation, Ainsworth sensitivity was more closely linked to maternal warmth than EA sensitivity was. Ainsworth sensitivity and warmth were related to less pragmatic difficulty and better likeability by female peers among preschoolers. The findings suggest that sensitivity and warmth may have a positive functional value despite the prevalence of emotional restraint in this cultural context.
Highlights
Examined the convergence of maternal sensitivity and warmth measures, and their associations with children’s language ability and peer likeability.
Observed measures of sensitivity had little overlap, suggesting key conceptual differences as a function of culture.
Maternal sensitivity and warmth constructs have a positive functional value in the Singaporean context, but depending on measures used.