Factors predicting attachment patterns in infants of adolescent mothers

The aim of the current study was to examine predictors of the mother-infant attachment relationship in adolescent mother-infant dyads. Seven factors were investigated: Maternal adult attachment style, childhood maltreatment history, depression, parenting stress and sensitivity; infant temperament difficulty; and social support. The sample consisted of138 dyads. Predictive factors were measured during pregnancy, and at four and ten months, whereas attachment was evaluated at fifteen months using the Strange Situation procedure. Results indicated that the secure infants' mothers expressed less parenting stress and more satisfaction with social support as compared to mothers of avoidant or resistant infants. Moreover, these mothers completed more years of schooling than mothers of avoidant, resistant or disorganised infants. Contrary to our expectations, it was found that neither maternal sensitivity, nor adult attachment style contributed to the prediction of attachment patterns. Furthermore, disorganised attachments were not predicted by more severe constellations of risk factors. These findings are discussed in relation to the particular ecology of adolescent mothers.