1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« In the present study, we had two basic objectives: The first was to replicate the findings that have been reported in previous work, namely, that there is a significant association among maternal state of mind, maternal sensitivity, and infant attachment security but that maternal sensitivity only partially mediates the association between maternal state of mind and infant attachment. Our second objective was to consider whether paths to infant attachment security may exist that do not originate with maternal state of mind. If such paths were found, we planned to examine whether their inclusion would change the picture of attachment transmission and the mediating role of maternal sensitivity that emerged from the data. » (p. 213)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
- « [...] 64 adolescent mother-infant dyads [...]. » (p. 212)

Instruments :
- Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; George, Kaplan, & Main, 1985);
- The Maternal Behavior Q-Set (MBQS; Pederson & Moran, 1995);
- The Attachment Behavior Q-Set (AQS; Waters, 1995);
- The short version of the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ; Sarason et al., 1987);
- The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977).

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« The results are presented in three sections. First, the correspondence between AAI classifications and AQS scores is reported, and the mediational role of maternal sensitivity is examined. Second, bivariate correlations are examined, and the appropriate multiple regressions carried out, to determine whether the transmission gap remains when the ecology is accounted for. These same correlations and regressions serve to examine which aspects of the ecology may be mediated by maternal sensitivity and which may have direct links to infant attachment security. Finally, potential moderators of maternal attachment state of mind are explored. » (p. 217)