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Maternal Attachment Representations during Pregnancy, Perinatal Maternal Depression, and Parenting Stress: Relations to Child’s Attachment

Author

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  • Cristina Sechi

    (Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Laura Elvira Prino

    (Department of Philosophy and Education Sciences, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • Luca Rollé

    (Department of Psychology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • Loredana Lucarelli

    (Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Laura Vismara

    (Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

Background: This paper aimed to explore the associations between maternal representations of attachment evaluated during pregnancy, pre and postnatal maternal depression, parenting stress and child’s attachment at 15 months after childbirth. Methods: Mothers ( n = 71), and their infants participated in a longitudinal study of maternal attachment, pre and postnatal depression, parenting stress and child attachment. Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) was conducted between 24 and 26 weeks of pregnancy (Time 1), depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (at Time 1 and 6 months after childbirth, i.e., Time 2), parenting stress was assessed using the Parenting Stress Index—Short Form (PS-SF) (at Time 2) and the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) at child’s 15 months of age (Time 3). Results: Free-autonomous maternal classification of attachment increases the likelihood of secure child classification in her offspring, while decreases that of avoidance and ambivalence. Insecure maternal representation of attachment evaluated during pregnancy and higher levels of parenting stress at six months after childbirth was associated with higher rates of infant insecure attachment at 15 months. Conclusions: Our study validates the importance of considering maternal representations of attachment crucial in determining the quality of the caregiving environment, thereby the healthy development of children, despite the presence of other contextual risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Sechi & Laura Elvira Prino & Luca Rollé & Loredana Lucarelli & Laura Vismara, 2021. "Maternal Attachment Representations during Pregnancy, Perinatal Maternal Depression, and Parenting Stress: Relations to Child’s Attachment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:69-:d:708433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrzej Śliwerski & Karolina Kossakowska & Karolina Jarecka & Julita Świtalska & Eleonora Bielawska-Batorowicz, 2020. "The Effect of Maternal Depression on Infant Attachment: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-42, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Maria Della Vedova & Fabrizio Santoniccolo & Cristina Sechi & Tommaso Trombetta, 2023. "Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Symptoms, Parental Bonding and Dyadic Sensitivity in Mother–Baby Interactions at Three Months Post-Partum," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Carolina Fioroni Ribeiro da Silva & Valentina Menici & Eloisa Tudella & Elena Beani & Veronica Barzacchi & Roberta Battini & Alessandro Orsini & Giovanni Cioni & Giuseppina Sgandurra, 2022. "Parental Practices and Environmental Differences among Infants Living in Upper-Middle and High-Income Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.

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