Both Maternal Sensitivity and Atypical Maternal Behavior Independently Predict Attachment Security and Disorganization in Adolescent Mother–infant Relationships

Greg Moran, University of Western Ontario
Lindsey Forbes, University of Western Ontario
Elspeth Evans, University of Western Ontario
George M. Tarabulsy, Université Laval
Sheri Madigan, Hospital for Sick Children

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Published in: Infant Behavior and Development Volume 31, Issue 2, April 2008, Pages 321-325. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2007.12.012

Abstract

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.