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Cited by 197Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumAttachment and Relationship DynamicsPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Maternal attachment state of mind moderates the impact of postnatal depression on infant attachment

McMahon, Catherine A., Barnett, Byranne, Kowalenko, Nicholas M., Tennant, Christopher C.·2006·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
DOI 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01547.x
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Empirical studies have revealed a significant, but modest association between maternal depression and insecure mother-child attachment. Across studies, however, a substantial number of mothers with depression are able to provide a sensitive caretaking environment for their children. This paper aimed to explore whether a mother's own state of mind regarding attachment moderated the association between postpartum depression and insecure mother-child attachment. METHODS: Mothers (n = 111), mainly middle-class mothers, and their infants participated in a longitudinal study of postnatal depression, maternal attachment state of mind and child attachment. Depression was assessed using a diagnostic interview (at 4 and 12 months) and symptom checklists (at 4, 12 and 15 months). The Adult Attachment Interview was conducted at 12 months and the Strange Situation procedure at 15 months. RESULTS: Mothers diagnosed as depressed were more likely to have an insecure state of mind regarding attachment. Infants of chronically depressed mothers were more likely to be insecurely attached; however, the relationship between maternal depression and child attachment was moderated by maternal attachment state of mind. CONCLUSIONS: Results are discussed with reference to resiliency factors for women with postnatal depression and implications for intervention.

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  • Mothers who were diagnosed as depressed were more likely to have an insecure state of mind regarding attachment and had more negative perceptions of their relationship with their infant than nondepressed mothers.

    “mothers who were diagnosed as depressed were more likely to have an insecure state of mind regarding attachment; they had more negative perceptions of their relationship with their infant than nondepressed mothers.54,64”

    From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [64]

  • Postnatal depressive symptoms were not related to attachment insecurity or disorganization at 14 months.

    “Two studies showed that postnatal depressive symptoms were not related to attachment insecurity106 or disorganization64,106 at 14 months.”

    From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [64]

  • Chronically depressed mothers were more likely to be classified as feeling insecure about their attachment, whereas briefly depressed mothers did not differ from mothers who had never been depressed.

    “chronically depressed mothers were more likely to be classified as feeling insecure about their attachment, whereas briefly depressed mothers did not differ from mothers who had never been depressed.”

    From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [64]

  • Infants of chronically depressed mothers were more likely to be insecurely attached, while infants of briefly depressed mothers did not differ from infants of mothers who had never been depressed.

    “infants of chronically depressed mothers were more likely to be insecurely attached, while infants of briefly depressed mothers did not differ from infants of mothers who had never been depressed.64”

    From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [64]

  • Chronic maternal depression seemed to have a more serious impact on child development than transient depression.

    “Some studies64,108,121 compared the impact of chronic depression versus transient depression on child development and found that chronic maternal depression seemed to have a more serious impact on child development.”

    From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [64]

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Authors
McMahon, C. A., Barnett, B., Kowalenko, N. M., & Tennant, C. C.
Affiliations
  • Macquarie University (AU)
  • Sydney South West Area Health Service (AU)
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
McMahon, Catherine A.
ORCID
McMahon, Catherine A.
Venue
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2005-09-28
Volume
47
Issue
7
Pages
660-669
ISSN
  • 0021-9630 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-7610
DOI
10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01547.x
OpenAlex
W1967304623
Cited by
197
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 13
FWCI
5.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
postpartum depression, infant attachment, insecure attachment, mother-infant relationship, Adult Attachment Interview, Strange Situation Procedure, moderation, maternal depression, resilience
MeSH terms
Adult, Chronic Disease, Demography, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Interview, Psychological, Mother-Child Relations, Object Attachment, Severity of Illness Index, Depression, Postpartum

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