Maternal Depression And Its Association With Insecurely Attached Infants; A Review Of The Research

12 Pages 3103 Words

Maternal Depression 1

Running Head: DEPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH ATTACHMENT


Maternal Depression’s Affects
on the
Infant’s Quality of Attachment


Maternal Depression 2
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that maternal depression and quality of attachment are associated in children ranging from infancy to 7 years of age. Based on a power analysis 40 mother-infant dyads will be recruited and put into two groups, one of depressed mothers and their infants, and then the non-depressed mothers and their infants. The dyads will be recruited from the NY metropolitan area by posting fliers in grocery stores and places where baby supplies are sold, advertising in newspapers and radio ads, and in therapist’s offices. Maternal depression will be measured by Beck’s Depression Inventory which is a self-report. A score of 17 or above indicates a need for professional treatment of depression. Mothers will also be evaluated for depression by DSM-IV criteria which is comprised of having an episode of depression lasting at least two weeks with symptoms severe enough to upset daily routine, impair work, or interfere with relationships. The quality of attachment would be measured through the observational method; Strange Situation and either one of the four attachment styles would be attributed to the infants. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that maternal depression will be associated with infant’s quality of attachment such that those who are depressed will be more likely to have insecurely attached infants than mothers who are not depressed.


















Maternal Depression 3
The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that maternal depression and quality of attachment are associated in children ranging from infancy to 7 years of age.
Significance
According to the National Mental Health Association (2000) women experience depre...