Both maternal sensitivity and atypical maternal behavior independently predict attachment security and disorganization in adolescent mother-infant relationships.
Extant theory holds that variation in attachment security is largely determined by caregiver sensitivity whereas disorganization has its roots in atypical interactions that frighten the infant. These hypotheses were confirmed in the current study of a high-risk sample but, contrary to current theory, both atypical maternal behavior and maternal sensitivity were also significant independent predictors of attachment disorganization and security.
Moran
Greg
G
Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. gmoran2@uwo.ca
Forbes
Lindsey
L
Evans
Elspeth
E
Tarabulsy
George M
GM
Madigan
Sheri
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000850:Anomie; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019962:Reactive Attachment Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior