Maternal Interactive Behaviour in Early Infancy and Later Attachment

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Abstract
Evolutionary considerations (cf. MacDonald, 1992) suggest that emotional closeness and security of attachment address different functional systems. We assume that maternal sensitivity during early face-to-face interactions is related to later emotional closeness, whereas the contingency of maternal reactions towards the infant’s signals is related to later security of attachment. Forty-three mother-infant dyads were videotaped at home during face-to-face interactions when the infants were 3 months old, and were seen in the strange situation when the infants were 12 months old. Results confirm the assumptions, with significant correlations between early face-to-face sensitivity and later contact seeking, maintaining, and avoiding behaviour of the infant during the reunion episodes of the strange situation. Early maternal face-to-face contingency was related to later security of attachment.