Maternal sensitivity during distressing tasks: a unique predictor of attachment security

Leerkes, Esther M.

doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.04.006

Cited by 148Attachment and Relationship DynamicsChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Maternal sensitivity during distressing tasks: a unique predictor of attachment security

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Leerkes, Esther M.·2011·Infant Behavior and Development

DOI 10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.04.006PMC PMC3134119

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Abstract

The extent to which maternal sensitivity during a non-arousing free play task and during distressing tasks at 6 months predicted infant-mother attachment security was examined. When considered simultaneously, only maternal sensitivity during distressing tasks predicted subsequent attachment security. Infant temperament was unrelated to attachment security.

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A mother's sensitivity to distress is a better predictor of the child's outcome than her sensitivity to non-distress cues.
“A mother’s sensitivity to distress has been a better predictor of the child’s outcome than her sensitivity to non-distress cues (Joosen et al., 2012; Leerkes, 2011; Leerkes et al., 2009; McElwain and Booth-Laforce, 2006).”
From The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans (2016) · cites this paper as Leerkes, 2011
A mother's sensitivity to distress may be a better predictor of child outcomes than her sensitivity to non-distress cues.
“studies suggest that a mother’s sensitivity to distress may be a better predictor of child outcomes than her sensitivity to non-distress cues (Joosen et al., 2012; Leerkes, 2011; Leerkes et al., 2009; McElwain and Booth-Laforce, 2006).”
From Approaching the biology of human parental attachment: Brain imaging, oxytocin and coordinated assessments of mothers and fathers (2014) · cites this paper as Leerkes, 2011

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영아의 애착 안정성에 영향을 미치는 변인 :어머니의 민감성과 영아의 기질
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Authors: Leerkes, E. M.
Affiliations: University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US)
Corresponding author: Leerkes, Esther M.
ORCID: Leerkes, Esther M.
Venue: Infant Behavior and Development
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2011-06
Volume: 34
Issue: 3
Pages: 443-446
ISSN: 0163-6383 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.04.006
PMC: PMC3134119
OpenAlex: W2056453039
Cited by: 148
References: 24
Citations by year: 2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
FWCI: 8.29
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Infant Behavior and Development (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
NC Digital Online Collection of Knowledge and Scholarship (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R03HD048691)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords: maternal sensitivity, attachment security, infant distress, infant-mother attachment, infant temperament, free play, early infancy
MeSH terms: Arousal, Emotions, Female, Humans, Infant, Maternal Behavior, Mother-Child Relations, Mothers, Object Attachment, Play and Playthings, Temperament, Infant Behavior

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Maternal sensitivity during distressing tasks: a unique predictor of attachment security

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