Maternal interactive behaviour in early infancy and later attachment

Abstract

Evolutionary considerations (cf. MacDonald, 1992) suggest that emotional closeness and security of attachment address different functional systems. We assume that maternal sensitivity during early face-to-face interactions is related to later emotional closeness, whereas the contingency of maternal reactions towards the infant's signals is related to later security of attachment. Forty-three mother-infant dyads were videotaped at home during face-to-face interactions when the infants were 3 months old, and were seen in the strange situation when the infants were 12 months old. Results confirm the assumptions, with significant correlations between early face-to-face sensitivity and later contact seeking, maintaining, and avoiding behaviour of the infant during the reunion episodes of the strange situation. Early maternal face-to-face contingency was related to later security of attachment.