The influence of attachment and temperament on venipuncture distress in 14-month-old infants: the Generation R Study

Infant Behav Dev. 2011 Apr;34(2):293-302. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.01.005. Epub 2011 Feb 11.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effects of attachment and temperament on infant distress during venipuncture.

Method: The study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a prospective population-based study. Two different research procedures (i.e., blood sampling and the Ainsworth Strange Situation Procedure) yielded measures of venipuncture distress and attachment security and disorganization in 246 infants aged 14 months. Four temperament traits (distress to limitations, fear, recovery from distress, and sadness) were assessed using the maternally reported Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised, at the age of 6 months.

Results: There were no differences between mean levels of distress during venipuncture in infants classified as having insecure attachment, but there was a trend for disorganized attachment. The temperament traits were not related to distress. However, children with a disorganized attachment and higher temperamental fear had more venipuncture distress.

Conclusion: When different risk factors are present simultaneously, infant distress is heightened.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Behavior / physiology
  • Infant Behavior / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mother-Child Relations*
  • Object Attachment*
  • Phlebotomy / psychology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Temperament* / physiology
  • Young Adult