Reflective functioning in mothers with drug use disorders: Implications for dyadic interactions with infants and toddlers
Open accessAbstract
In this study, we examined maternal reflective functioning as a bi-dimensional construct in a sample of 47 mothers with drug use disorders caring for infants and toddlers. We first tested a two-factor solution with scale items from the Parent Development Interview and confirmed the presence of two related but distinct dimensions: self-mentalization and child-mentalization. We then tested predictions that (a) self-mentalization would be associated with overall quality of maternal caregiving and that (b) child-mentalization would be associated with (i) maternal contingent behavior and (ii) child communication. Results partially supported hypotheses (a) and (bii). Unexpectedly, self-mentalization alone was associated with maternal contingent behavior. Findings suggest that self-mentalization may be a critical first step in improving mother-child relations involving mothers with drug use disorders. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
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The sample size was 57 mother-infant dyads, which was rather large in comparison to related studies.
“even though our sample size of 57 mother-infant dyads was rather large in comparison to related studies (Fonagy et al., 1994; Slade et al., 2005; Suchman et al., 2010; van IJzendoorn, 1995)”
From INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ATTACHMENT IN ABUSED AND NEGLECTED MOTHERS: THE ROLE OF TRAUMA-SPECIFIC REFLECTIVE FUNCTIONING: Attachment, Reflective Function, and Trauma (2015) · cites this paper as Suchman et al., 2010
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References 31 · Cited by 197
Research works printed but not linked: 5
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- Main M Goldwyn R Main M Adult attachment classification system. Behavior and the Development of Representational Models of Attachment: Five Methods of Assessment 1995 Cambridge University Press
- Sadler L Slade A Mayes L Allen JG Fonagy P Minding the baby: A mentalisation-based parenting program. The handbook of mentalisation-based treatment 2006 271 288 Jon Wiley & Sons Hoboken, NJ
- Authors
- Suchman, N. E., DeCoste, C., Leigh, D., & Borelli, J.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Pomona College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Suchman, Nancy E.
- Venue
- Attachment & Human Development
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-10-06
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 567-585
- ISSN
- 1461-6734 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-2988
- PMC
- PMC2953729
- OpenAlex
- W2036858278
- Cited by
- 197
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 6.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Attachment & Human Development (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA017294, K02DA023504)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- reflective functioning, children's communication, mother-child relationship, infants and toddlers
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Child, Preschool, Educational Status, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Maternal Behavior, Mother-Child Relations, Mothers, Object Attachment, Psychometrics, Self Concept, Stress, Psychological, Linear Models, Parenting, Caregivers, Substance-Related Disorders
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