The role of reflective functioning in predicting parenting and coparenting qualit

This investigation examined the validity of parental reflective functioning (RF; Fonagy, Target, Steele, & Steele, 1998) which is a measure designed to assess understanding of emotions and other mental states. RF was coded based on the prebirth Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI; George, Kaplan, & Main, 1985). Parenting and coparenting quality were assessed 13 months after the birth of the target child. Correlational and factor analyses indicated considerable overlap between RF and traditional AAI coding. Exploratory factor analyses of RF and AAI state of mind scales indicated that RF loaded, along with coherence of mind, on the primary factor distinguishing between individuals categorized as secure and dismissing. Maternal RF significantly predicted paternal dyadic sensitivity and coparenting quality and marginally predicted maternal dyadic and paternal triadic sensitivity. Paternal RF did not predict parenting quality. Interestingly, fathers' RF predicted coparenting quality of daughters, and mothers' RF predicted coparenting quality of sons. These findings indicate that the RF measure is an important predictor of family functioning and warrants further investigation.