Environment and genetic predictors of infant attachment disorganization
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Lindsey Ruth Gedaly (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Esther Leerkes
Abstract: This study examined maternal sensitivity to distress, overtly negative maternal behavior, maternal trauma and loss, and their interactions with infant genes related to dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin functioning as predictors of infant attachment disorganization while accounting for race and sociodemographic covariates. The sample included 182 mother-infant dyads (approximately 50% European American and 50% African American). Prenatally, women completed the Adult Attachment Interview. At the 6 month and 1 year visits mothers and infants participated in a series of videotaped interactive tasks designed to elicit infant distress and to assess maternal behavior. Additionally, during the 1 year visit, mothers and infants participated in the Strange Situation Procedure to assess infant-mother attachment security. During the 2 year lab visit, DNA was collected via saliva samples from mothers and children. Results indicated that overtly negative maternal behavior and sociodemographic risk were positively associated with infant attachment disorganization. Infant genotype did not moderate these relationships. These findings may have applied implications.
Environment and genetic predictors of infant attachment disorganization
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Created on 5/1/2015
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2015
- Keywords
- Infant attachment disorganization, Infant-mother attachment security, Infant-mother relationship
- Subjects
- Mother and infant $x Psychological aspects
- Mother and infant $x Genetic aspects
- Attachment behavior in infants