Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine whether variables related to mothers’ psychological functioning could be associated with mother-child attachment insecurity in children referred to an outpatient mental health clinic. MethodTwenty-nine children (23–71 months) and their mothers participated in this study. According to child age, mother-child attachment was assessed using the Strange Situation or the Separation-Reunion Procedure. Mothers’ symptoms of depression, anxiety and parental stress were assessed using self-report inventories. ResultsAvoidant attachment was marginally related to maternal depression and significantly associated with maternal anxiety. Greater parental stress was related to more disorganized and less secure attachment behaviors. A marginal association was also found between maternal stress and ambivalent attachment behaviors. ConclusionThese results support the importance of pursuing research on possible links between maternal psychological determinants and mother-child attachment in children referred to outpatient mental health clinics.
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