Infant-mother attachment: relationships to maternal responsiveness and infant temperament

J Pediatr Nurs. 1995 Feb;10(1):9-18. doi: 10.1016/S0882-5963(05)80094-6.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between maternal responsiveness, infant temperament, and infant-mother attachment as measured in Ainsworth's Strange Situation. Discriminant analysis revealed that infant temperament was more strongly related to attachment than maternal responsiveness. Infants rated as Anxious-Avoidant in attachment were perceived by their mothers as significantly easier in temperament. Possible explanations for findings and implications for nurses working with infants and parents are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Nursing Research
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Behavior
  • Male
  • Maternal Behavior
  • Mother-Child Relations*
  • Object Attachment*
  • Psychology, Child*
  • Temperament*
  • Videotape Recording