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Article
Change in Atypical Maternal Behavior Predicts Change in Attachment Disorganization From 12 to 24 Months in a High-Risk Sample
Child Development
  • L. M. Forbes, University of Western Ontario
  • E. M. Evans, University of Western Ontario
  • G. Moran, University of Western Ontario
  • D. R. Pederson, University of Western Ontario
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2007
Abstract

This longitudinal study examined links between disorganization and atypical maternal behavior at 12 and 24 months in 71 adolescent mother–child dyads. Organized attachment and maternal not disrupted behavior were more stable than disorganization and disrupted behavior, respectively. At both ages, disorganization and maternal disrupted behavior were significantly correlated. Change in atypical maternal behavior predicted change in disorganization across time. The results provide substantial support for extant theories linking anomalous maternal behavior to the development of disorganized attachment. The Interesting-but-Scary paradigm, introduced in this study, promises to be a useful tool for assessing attachment and maternal behavior in toddlerhood.

Notes
Published in: Child Development, Volume 78 Issue 3, Pages 955 - 971. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01043.x
Citation Information
L. M. Forbes, E. M. Evans, G. Moran and D. R. Pederson. "Change in Atypical Maternal Behavior Predicts Change in Attachment Disorganization From 12 to 24 Months in a High-Risk Sample" Child Development Vol. 78 Iss. 3 (2007) p. 955 - 971
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gregmoran/17/