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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
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Published on: December 21, 2021
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Does maternal reflective functioning mediate associations between representations of caregiving with maternal
Mauricio Alvarez-Monjarás1, Thomas J McMahon1,2, Nancy E Suchman1,2
1Yale University School of Medicine, Child Study Center. New Haven, CT. United States of America.
Summary
Mothers with substance abuse disorders can improve parenting by enhancing reflective functioning, which bridges mental representations of caregiving and maternal sensitivity. This supports attachment-based interventions for better child outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- Maternal substance abuse disorders are linked to parenting challenges.
- Mechanisms underlying parenting difficulties in this population are not well understood.
- Attachment theory provides a framework for examining parent-child relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating role of reflective functioning.
- To examine the relationship between mental representations of caregiving and maternal sensitivity.
- To explore these dynamics in mothers with substance abuse disorders.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing baseline data from two randomized controlled trials.
- Sample included 142 ethnically diverse mothers with substance abuse disorders and their toddlers.
- Assessed mental representations of caregiving, reflective functioning, and maternal sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Positive correlations were found among mental representations of caregiving, reflective functioning, and maternal sensitivity.
- Reflective functioning significantly mediated the relationship between mental representations of caregiving and maternal sensitivity.
- Secondary analyses did not support confounding or alternative explanations.
Conclusions:
- Reflective functioning is crucial for positive parenting in mothers with substance abuse disorders.
- Findings support the development of attachment-based interventions for this high-risk group.
- Enhancing reflective functioning may improve maternal sensitivity and caregiving.
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