Attachment, depression, and cortisol: Deviant patterns in insecure-resistant and disorganized infants.
Both attachment insecurity and maternal depression are thought to affect infants' emotional and physiological regulation. In the current study, Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) attachment classifications, and cortisol stress reactivity and diurnal rhythm were assessed at 14 months in a prospective cohort study of 369 mother-infant dyads. Maternal lifetime depression was diagnosed prenatally using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Insecure-resistant infants showed the largest increase in cortisol levels from pre- to post-SSP; the effect was even stronger when they had depressive mothers. Disorganized children showed a more flattened diurnal cortisol pattern compared to nondisorganized children. Findings are discussed from the perspective of a cumulative risk model.
Luijk
Maartje P C M
MP
Center for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Saridjan
Nathalie
N
Tharner
Anne
A
van Ijzendoorn
Marinus H
MH
Bakermans-Kranenburg
Marian J
MJ
Jaddoe
Vincent W V
VW
Hofman
Albert
A
Verhulst
Frank C
FC
Tiemeier
Henning
H
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology
D006854:Hydrocortisone