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Rethinking maternal sensitivity: mothers' comments on infants' mental processes predict security of attachment at 12
E Meins1, C Fernyhough, E Fradley
1Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. elizabeth.meins@durham.ac.uk
Summary
Mothers accurately commenting on infant mental states is a key predictor of secure infant attachment. This maternal ability, alongside sensitivity, independently fosters a secure bond, impacting early development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Infant Mental Health
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- Maternal sensitivity is crucial for infant attachment security.
- Rethinking maternal sensitivity involves assessing mothers' ability to perceive infant mental states.
- Understanding predictors of attachment security informs early intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate predictors of attachment security in mother-infant dyads.
- To examine the role of maternal ability to read infant mental states.
- To assess the independent contributions of maternal sensitivity and mind-related comments to attachment security.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 71 mothers and their 6-month-old infants.
- Assessment of maternal sensitivity and mothers' appropriate mind-related comments.
- Secure attachment relationship evaluated at 12 months.
Main Results:
- Mothers' appropriate mind-related comments independently predicted attachment security.
- Maternal sensitivity also independently predicted attachment security.
- Mothers' mind-related comments accounted for 12.7% of attachment security variance, while maternal sensitivity accounted for 6.5%.
Conclusions:
- Maternal ability to comment on infant mental states is a significant predictor of attachment security.
- Findings support theories on internal working models of attachment.
- Differences in mentalizing abilities may explain security-related variations in attachment.