Infancy predictors of emotional availability in middle childhood: the roles of attachment security and maternal depressive symptomatology

Abstract

This investigation examined the longitudinal prediction of emotional availability in mother-child interaction during middle childhood from two indicators of socioemotional functioning in infancy: security of infant-mother attachment; and maternal depressive symptoms. Forty-five children and their mothers were seen during infancy: security of attachment was assessed in the laboratory Strange Situation; and mothers completed a selfreport of depressive symptoms. At age 7, children were observed with their mothers in a lab playroom. The dyad's emotional availability was assessed during reunion following an hour-long separation. Results demonstrated significant associations between infancy and middle childhood socioemotional organization, both for mothers and for children. Security of attachment in infancy was related to maternal sensitivity and structuring, and to child responsiveness and involvement at age 7. Maternal depressive symptoms in infancy were associated with maternal sensitivity and structuring at age 7. Greatest differentiation was found between infants with secure attachments and those with insecure-disorganized attachments.