Change in Atypical Maternal Behavior Predicts Change in Attachment Disorganization From 12 to 24 Months in a High-Risk Sample

  1. L. M. Forbes,
  2. E. M. Evans,
  3. G. Moran,
  4. D. R. Pederson

Article first published online: 16 MAY 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01043.x

Issue

Child Development

Child Development

Volume 78, Issue 3, pages 955–971, May/June 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Forbes, L. M., Evans, E. M., Moran, G. and Pederson, D. R. (2007), Change in Atypical Maternal Behavior Predicts Change in Attachment Disorganization From 12 to 24 Months in a High-Risk Sample. Child Development, 78: 955–971. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01043.x

Author Information

  1. University of Western Ontario

* concerning this article should be addressed to L. M. Forbes, Department of Psychology, Social Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada. Electronic mail may be sent to lforbes@uwo.ca.

  1. This research was funded by grants to the third and fourth authors from Health Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The first two authors contributed equally to the study and manuscript. Order of authorship was determined by a coin flip. The authors would like to thank members of the Child Development Study Group at the University of Western Ontario for their assistance with various aspects of this study. In particular, thanks are due to Sandi Bento, Sheri Madigan, and Amy Oliphant for their coding help, Dr. Carey Anne De Oliveira for designing parts of the study, and Dr. George Tarabulsy and Dr. Bob Gardner for statistical consultation. Also, thanks are due to the mothers and babies who participated in this research.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 JUN 2007
  2. Article first published online: 16 MAY 2007

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (155K)

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.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (155K)