Links among antenatal attachment representations, postnatal mind-mindedness, and infant attachment security: a preliminary study of mothers and fathers.
Antenatal attachment representations (Adult Attachment Interview classification and reflective function score) were assessed in 25 couples and 3 solo mothers. Infant-parent interaction was observed separately for mothers (N = 21) and fathers (N = 17) at 6 months postpartum, from which measures of parents' ability to comment accurately on their infants' internal states (mind-mindedness) were obtained. Infant-parent attachment security was assessed at 12 (mother, N = 18) and 15 (father, N = 15) months. Autonomous parental Adult Attachment Interview classification, higher reflective function, and infant-parent attachment security were associated with greater mind-mindedness, with effects stronger for fathers than for mothers. A preliminary longitudinal analysis suggested that parental mind-mindedness may help explain intergenerational transfer of attachment security.
Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK. b.m.arnott@durham.ac.uk
Bronia
B
Arnott
Elizabeth
E
Meins
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003071:Cognition; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D010500:Perinatology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy