Testing the mid‐range model: Attachment in a high risk sample. Issue 3 (16th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitsven, Samantha G.; Prince, Emily B.; Messinger, Daniel S.; Tenenbaum, Elena J.; Sheinkopf, Stephen J.; Tronick, Edward Z.; Seifer, Ronald; Lester, Barry M.
• Is Part Of: Developmental science. Volume 25:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-11-16
• Subjects: attachment -- disorganization -- face‐to‐face -- high‐risk infants -- interaction; Developmental psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Comparative -- Periodicals; 155
• DOI: 10.1111/desc.13185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1363-755X

Abstract

Abstract: Infant attachment is a key predictor of later socioemotional functioning, but it is not clear how parental responsivity to infant expressive behavior is associated with attachment outcomes. A mid‐range model of responsivity holds that both unresponsive and highly reactive parental behaviors lead to insecure and disorganized attachment. We examined the relationship between maternal (and infant) contingent responsivity and attachment in a high‐risk sample. Participants were 625 infant‐mother pairs from a longitudinal study of children with and without prenatal drug exposure and variable levels of associated social risks. Infant‐mother pairs participated in the Face‐to‐Face/Still‐Face paradigm (FFSF) at 4‐months and in the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) at 18‐months. A model incorporating both linear and quadratic responsivity effects indicated that mothers who were either very high (reactive) or very low (unresponsive) in responsivity were more likely to have infants with disorganized attachment outcomes. While maternal responsivity was associated with attachment disorganization, no associations between maternal responsivity, and attachment security/insecurity were detected. Infant responsivity to mother was not associated with attachment outcomes. The findings suggest the importance of mid‐range levels of maternal responsivity in the development of organized attachment among infants facing high levels of prenatal and social risk. Abstract : Face‐to‐face interactive behavior and attachment security are both key indices of later socioemotional functioning, but it is unclear how they are associated. We found that mothers who were highly reactive or who were emotionally disengaged in response to their infant's expressive behavior were more likely to have infants with disorganized attachment. Thus, mid‐range levels of maternal responsivity appear to be associated with the emergence of organized patterns of attachment that may help set infants on a resilient trajectory into childhood and beyond.