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Mother–Child Attachment Relationship in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Early Childhood: Current...
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Mother–Child Attachment Relationship in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Early Childhood: Current Status and New Research Perspectives

A special issue of European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (ISSN 2254-9625).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 3402

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Valentina Lucia La Rosa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
Interests: developmental psychology; educational psychology; life cycle psychology; development in adolescence; attachment relationships; family; learning and quality of educational settings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Elena Commodari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: emotion recognition; attention; pregnancy; attachment; learning disorders; mental imagery; COVID-19 consequences
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

The perinatal period is a critical and sensitive period of development for both mothers and their infants, and the quality of the attachment between mother and child, which is established during the period of pregnancy, significantly impacts cognitive, emotional, and social development in early childhood. This Special Issue will bring together leading researchers and practitioners in developmental and perinatal psychology to present the latest contributions and interventions related to mother–child attachments in pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood. The Special Issue will cover a range of topics, including:

  1. Theoretical perspectives on mother–child attachment during the perinatal period and early childhood;
  2. Research on the factors that influence the development of mother–child attachment, including maternal psychological well-being, infant temperament, and environmental factors;
  3. Assessment tools and techniques for measuring mother–child attachment;
  4. Interventions to promote healthy mother–child attachment and prevent or treat postpartum disorders;
  5. Cultural and contextual and cultural factors that influence mother–child attachment;
  6. Implications of recent research on mother–child attachment for policy and practice, including the development of screening tools, guidelines for perinatal mental health care, and strategies for promoting positive attachment relationships.

Dr. Valentina Lucia La Rosa
Prof. Dr. Elena Commodari
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at mdpi.longhoe.net by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • developmental psychology
  • perinatal psychology
  • pregnancy
  • postpartum
  • early childhood
  • attachment

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 820 KiB  
Article
Mothers’ Responses to Children’s Emotions and Children’s Behavior: The Mediating Role of Children’s Emotion Regulation
by Catarina Rolo, Eva Diniz, Alessandra Babore and Tânia Brandão
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(7), 1940-1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14070129 (registering DOI) - 1 Jul 2024
Viewed by 209
Abstract
While prior research has clearly established links between maternal responses and children’s emotion regulation (ER), the implications of these links for children’s behaviors, especially at school (as reported by their teachers), remain much less explored. This study examined the mediating role of children’s [...] Read more.
While prior research has clearly established links between maternal responses and children’s emotion regulation (ER), the implications of these links for children’s behaviors, especially at school (as reported by their teachers), remain much less explored. This study examined the mediating role of children’s ER in the relationship between maternal reactions to both negative and positive emotions of children and the subsequent behaviors of these children at school. Participants included 56 Portuguese school-aged children (31 boys and 25 girls, aged 6–10 years, mean age = 8.27, SD = 1.27), their mothers (aged 26–55 years, mean age = 38.33, SD = 6.68), and their teachers (n = 7 female teachers) in a multi-informant study. Mothers provided reports on their responses to their children’s emotions and their perceptions of the children’s ER and lability/negativity, while teachers assessed the children’s behavior in the classroom. The results indicated that punitive maternal reactions were associated with greater child lability/negativity, which in turn correlated with increased conduct problems and hyperactivity at school. Conversely, maternal encouragement of expression was linked to reduced lability/negativity, which was associated with fewer emotional symptoms at school. Additionally, maternal problem-focused reactions and guided/empowering responses were associated with reduced child lability/negativity, which in turn correlated with fewer conduct problems and less hyperactivity at school. These findings suggest that maternal responses to children’s emotions can significantly influence children’s behaviors in the classroom via mechanisms involving children’s ER. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother–Child Attachment Relationship in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Early Childhood: Current Status and New Research Perspectives)
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18 pages, 547 KiB  
Article
Mothers’ Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy after a High-Risk or Normal Pregnancy: A Greek Longitudinal Cohort Study
by Panagiota Brani, Irina Mrvoljak-Theodoropoulou, Fani Pechlivani, Kleanthi Gourounti, Maria Iliadou, Ermioni Palaska, Panagiotis Antsaklis, Peter Drakakis and Maria Dagla
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(6), 1803-1820; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14060119 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 318
Abstract
Background: the objective of this longitudinal study (from pregnancy to the end of the sixth month postpartum) is to elucidate the association between maternal self-efficacy, defined as a mother’s confidence in her ability to breastfeed, and breastfeeding outcomes. Methods: This prospective cohort study [...] Read more.
Background: the objective of this longitudinal study (from pregnancy to the end of the sixth month postpartum) is to elucidate the association between maternal self-efficacy, defined as a mother’s confidence in her ability to breastfeed, and breastfeeding outcomes. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted among high-risk pregnant women (including those with conditions such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and other pathological medical conditions) and normal-risk pregnant women in Greece. The high-risk group included 164 women, while the normal-risk group comprised 154 women. Data were collected using validated psychometric scales, including the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale, and Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale. Results: Higher maternal self-efficacy was significantly associated with a longer duration and greater exclusivity of breastfeeding. A statistically significant relationship between the type of breastfeeding and the degree of breastfeeding self-efficacy was observed at multiple postpartum milestones: in the first and third 24 h postpartum, and at the end of the sixth week, third month, and sixth month postpartum. Conclusion: The findings underscore the critical role of maternal self-efficacy in breastfeeding success, influenced by individual psychological factors and broader socio-cultural contexts. Strengthening maternal self-efficacy is essential for improving breastfeeding outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother–Child Attachment Relationship in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Early Childhood: Current Status and New Research Perspectives)
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13 pages, 280 KiB  
Article
Dyadic Prenatal Coparenting Interaction Behaviors Predicting Postpartum Depressive Symptoms during the Transition to Parenthood
by Roi Estlein and Dana Shai
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(6), 1722-1734; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14060114 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 377
Abstract
Postpartum depressive symptoms constitute a common yet serious complication of pregnancy and childbirth, but research on its association with coparenting is scarce. Furthermore, although coparenting dynamics start forming prior to the child’s birth, no research has explored dyadic prenatal coparenting dynamics as a [...] Read more.
Postpartum depressive symptoms constitute a common yet serious complication of pregnancy and childbirth, but research on its association with coparenting is scarce. Furthermore, although coparenting dynamics start forming prior to the child’s birth, no research has explored dyadic prenatal coparenting dynamics as a predictor of postpartum depressive symptoms. The current study assessed how dyadic prenatal coparenting behaviors predicted postpartum depressive symptoms in first-time parents. We conducted a dyadic mixed-method longitudinal study of 107 expectant couples with data collected prenatally, and at 3, 6, and 24 months post-birth. The results indicated that prenatal coparenting dyadic synchrony predicted low levels of depressive symptoms among first-time fathers 3 and 6 months after the birth, and a prenatal coparenting dynamic of dyadic negative escalation predicted high levels of depressive symptoms among first-time mothers at 3 and 24 months postpartum. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother–Child Attachment Relationship in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Early Childhood: Current Status and New Research Perspectives)
13 pages, 308 KiB  
Article
Postpartum-Specific Anxiety and Maternal–Infant Bonding: A Predictive Validity Study amongst Italian Women
by Chiara Ionio, Giulia Ciuffo, Paul Christiansen, Anna Maria Della Vedova, Victoria Fallon, Maria Francesca Figlino, Marta Landoni, Sergio A. Silverio, Martina Smorti and Alessandra Bramante
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(6), 1614-1626; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14060107 - 4 Jun 2024
Viewed by 400
Abstract
The role of anxiety is unknown in relation to postpartum bonding, unlike the well-known detrimental effect that postpartum depression has on the relationship between a mother and child. This study investigates how anxiety affects mother–infant bonding after childbirth, comparing the Italian version of [...] Read more.
The role of anxiety is unknown in relation to postpartum bonding, unlike the well-known detrimental effect that postpartum depression has on the relationship between a mother and child. This study investigates how anxiety affects mother–infant bonding after childbirth, comparing the Italian version of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS-IT) with generalized measures of anxiety. Examining 324 non-randomly-selected participants responding to various scales, including the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), postpartum-specific anxiety scale (PSAS-IT), postpartum bonding questionnaire (PBQ), and baby care questionnaire (BCQ-2), initial results suggest a link between certain postpartum anxiety symptoms and attachment problems. Surprisingly, anxiety measured with the PSAS has no direct influence on attachment; however, it is a strong predictor of bonding, even when maternal age, general anxiety, and depression are taken into account, explaining 3% of the variance in scores (β = 0.26, p < 0.001). This emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention of postpartum anxiety in promoting bonding between mother and child. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother–Child Attachment Relationship in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Early Childhood: Current Status and New Research Perspectives)
13 pages, 433 KiB  
Article
ADHD Symptoms in Middle Childhood: The Role of Child Attachment and Maternal Emotional Availability in an Inpatient Clinical Sample
by Michaela Augustin, Volker Mall and Maria Licata-Dandel
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(6), 1572-1584; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14060104 - 4 Jun 2024
Viewed by 468
Abstract
Background: Child ADHD symptoms are highly prevalent in middle childhood, alongside impairment in social functioning. The parent–child relationship has been shown to play an important role; however, studies investigating specific facets of the parent–child relationship in ADHD symptomatology in middle childhood have been [...] Read more.
Background: Child ADHD symptoms are highly prevalent in middle childhood, alongside impairment in social functioning. The parent–child relationship has been shown to play an important role; however, studies investigating specific facets of the parent–child relationship in ADHD symptomatology in middle childhood have been neglected. We assumed that higher ADHD symptoms were associated with both (1) lower maternal emotional availability (EA) and (2) lower child attachment security. Moreover, (3) we aimed to explore which specific EA dimensions were associated with ADHD symptoms. Methods: In a socio-pediatric clinic in Germany, 71 inpatient mother–child dyads (child age: M = 7.70, SD = 1.06; n = 54 boys) were assessed. Clinical data about child ADHD symptoms (Child Behavior Checklist 6–18 subscale “attention deficit/hyperactivity problems”), maternal EA (free play), and child attachment representation (Attachment Story Completion Task, GEV-B) were analyzed cross-sectionally. Results: Controlling for child oppositional behavior and sex, child ADHD symptoms were associated with overall maternal EA, and more specifically non-hostility, but not with child attachment representation. Conclusions: Our results imply that the role of parent–child interaction quality should be considered in the treatment of ADHD. Bidirectional effects cannot be ruled out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother–Child Attachment Relationship in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Early Childhood: Current Status and New Research Perspectives)
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13 pages, 302 KiB  
Article
Early Parenting Interactions and First-Time Mothers’ Postnatal Depression and Parental Competence
by Rachel W. E. Leong, Davinder Gill, Joanna Barlas and Patrick K. F. Lin
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(4), 963-975; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14040063 - 6 Apr 2024
Viewed by 879
Abstract
Objectives: Schema Therapy, an approach that integrates cognitive-behavioural and attachment principles, helps us understand the impact of early interactions with caregivers on adult mental health. These early interactions can be assessed through Schema Therapy-informed tools; however, these tools have yet to be [...] Read more.
Objectives: Schema Therapy, an approach that integrates cognitive-behavioural and attachment principles, helps us understand the impact of early interactions with caregivers on adult mental health. These early interactions can be assessed through Schema Therapy-informed tools; however, these tools have yet to be used with a postnatal population, which represents a period of vulnerability for new mothers. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of positive and negative early parenting interactions on a first-time mother’s mental health and her sense of competence during the postnatal period, using recently revised and newly developed Schema Therapy-informed tools. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Method: First-time mothers (N = 220) participated in an online survey within 12 months post-birth. Participants completed the Positive Parenting Schema Inventory (PPSI), Young Parenting Inventory—Revised (YPI-R2), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale. The data were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression and mediational analysis. Results: Negative early interactions with mothers and fathers led to greater postnatal depressive symptomology, while positive early interactions with mothers led to fewer postnatal depressive symptoms. Mediation analyses revealed that postnatal depressive symptoms mediated early parenting interactions and participants’ sense of parenting competence as a new mother. Conclusions: The protective effects of positive early interactions with caregivers can help first-time mothers’ postnatal emotional adjustment and their sense of competence through diminished postnatal depressive symptoms. However, the enduring effects of negative early interactions with caregivers can contribute to a first-time mother’s risk of develo** postnatal depression and negatively affect her sense of parental competence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother–Child Attachment Relationship in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Early Childhood: Current Status and New Research Perspectives)
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