Maternal Attachment Style and her Perinatal Wellbeing Influence Early Childhood Development

Abstract

An increasing number of children show signs of behavioral problems and dysregulation in early childhood. It is assumed that maternal depression and her attachment representations affect child development. This was investigated in a prospective study with 161 primiparae women. Via standardized questionnaires during the third trimester, 3 weeks, 6 months and 18 months postpartum, prenatal attachment of the mother to the unborn child, her general attachment style and postpartum depression as well as the child's dysregulation at 18 months were assessed. In the GLM, longer-lasting pre- and postpartum depressivity and insecure partnership attachment representation were associated with child dysregulation. Therefore, early detection of pre- and postpartum depression is important in order to support both the affected women and the children for better child development.