Title

Maternal State of Mind: How Does It Impact the Ability to Flexibly Adjust to Siblings' Needs?

Authors

Kathleen Anne O'Connor, University of Western OntarioFollow
Greg Moran, University of Western OntarioFollow
David R. Pederson, University of Western OntarioFollow
Sandi Bento, University of Western OntarioFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

3-2010

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of maternal state of mind on the ability to adapt interactive behavior and perceptions of attachment behaviour across siblings.

RESULTS: Maternal sensitivity and perceptions of siblings’ attachment behavior were highly correlated across children of non-Autonomous mothers, but not Autonomous mothers. Non- Autonomous mothers behaved similarly on eight domains of interactive behaviour, while Autonomous mothers behaved similarly on only two.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that maternal state of mind is implicated in the ability to flexibly adapt interactive style and relationship-specific attachment perceptions across siblings.

Notes

Poster presentation at the International Conference on Infant Studies in Baltimore, MD in March 2010