Maternal attachment state of mind moderates the impact of postnatal depression on infant attachment

• Published in: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry 2006-07, Vol.47 (7), p.660-669
• Main Authors: McMahon, Catherine A., Barnett, Byranne, Kowalenko, Nicholas M., Tennant, Christopher C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Adult Attachment Interview; attachment; Attachment Behavior; Attachment state of mind; Biological and medical sciences; Check Lists; Child development; Child psychology; Chronic Disease; chronicity; Correlation; Demography; Depression; Depression (Psychology); Depression, Postpartum - diagnosis; Depression, Postpartum - psychology; Developmental psychology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infants; Interview, Psychological; Interviews; Longitudinal Studies; Maternal attachment; Medical sciences; Middle Class; Mood disorders; Mother-Child Relations; Mother-Child relationships; Mothers; Newborn. Infant; Object Attachment; Parent Influence; Perinatal Influences; Postnatal depression; Postpartum depression; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Severity of Illness Index; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Young Children
• ISSN: 0021-9630; 1469-7610
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01547.x

Background:  Empirical studies have revealed a significant, but modest association between maternal depression and insecure mother–child attachment. Across studies, however, a substantial number of mothers with depression are able to provide a sensitive caretaking environment for their children. This paper aimed to explore whether a mother's own state of mind regarding attachment moderated the association between postpartum depression and insecure mother–child attachment. Methods:  Mothers (n = 111), mainly middle‐class mothers, and their infants participated in a longitudinal study of postnatal depression, maternal attachment state of mind and child attachment. Depression was assessed using a diagnostic interview (at 4 and 12 months) and symptom checklists (at 4, 12 and 15 months). The Adult Attachment Interview was conducted at 12 months and the Strange Situation procedure at 15 months. Results:  Mothers diagnosed as depressed were more likely to have an insecure state of mind regarding attachment. Infants of chronically depressed mothers were more likely to be insecurely attached; however, the relationship between maternal depression and child attachment was moderated by maternal attachment state of mind. Conclusions:  Results are discussed with reference to resiliency factors for women with postnatal depression and implications for intervention.