Associations between maternal mind-mindedness and infant attachment security: investigating the mediating role of maternal sensitivity

Infant Behav Dev. 2008 Dec;31(4):688-95. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2008.04.008. Epub 2008 Jun 20.

Abstract

In the last 20 years, three meta-analyses suggested that the relation between maternal sensitivity and infant attachment security was lesser in magnitude than originally believed. This led to a search for other parental behaviors likely to contribute to the development of attachment security. Based on previous theoretical propositions and empirical findings suggesting that maternal mind-mindedness may contribute to infant attachment security by favoring maternal sensitivity, the aim of this study was to examine whether sensitivity mediates the relation between maternal mind-mindedness and infant attachment security. Fifty mother-infant dyads took part in two home visits (12 months and 15 months), allowing for assessment of maternal sensitivity (T1), mind-mindedness (T1), and infant attachment (T2). The results confirmed that maternal sensitivity mediates the relation between mind-mindedness and infant attachment. The findings are discussed in light of the assessments used in this and previous studies.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Behavior / psychology*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Maternal Behavior / psychology*
  • Mother-Child Relations*
  • Temperament
  • Thinking*
  • Young Adult