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Do infant behaviors following immunization predict attachment? An exploratory study

Rachel Horton1, Rebecca Pillai Riddell1,2,3, Greg Moran4

  • 1a Psychology, York University , Toronto , Canada.

Attachment & Human Development
|December 15, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Infant proximity-seeking after vaccinations predicts attachment security. This behavior during immunization mirrors infant attachment patterns observed in the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP).

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Infant Behavior
  • Attachment Theory

Background:

  • Infant behaviors during medical procedures may reflect underlying attachment styles.
  • Understanding these behaviors can offer insights into infant-caregiver relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between infant behaviors during routine immunizations and their attachment security.
  • To determine if specific infant behaviors pre- or post-vaccination predict attachment classification.

Main Methods:

  • 130 parent-infant dyads were videoed during 12-month immunizations and 14-month Strange Situation Procedure (SSP).
  • Six infant behaviors were coded pre- and post-vaccination.
  • Attachment was categorized as secure, avoidant, resistant, or disorganized.

Main Results:

  • Pre-vaccination behaviors did not predict attachment.
  • Post-vaccination proximity-seeking behavior significantly differentiated attachment categories.
  • Secure infants were more likely to seek proximity post-vaccination compared to avoidant or disorganized infants.

Conclusions:

  • Infant proximity-seeking during immunization is linked to secure attachment.
  • These immunization behaviors parallel those observed during the SSP.
  • Further research is needed to identify behavioral markers for disorganized attachment.
Abstract

Keywords:
affect regulationattachmentimmunizationinfancypain

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