Lene Lindberg1, Mari Fransson2, Tommie Forslund2, Lydia Springer3, Pehr Granqvist4. 1. Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 2. Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 3. SUF Resource Center, Uppsala County Council, Uppsala, Sweden. 4. Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Scientific knowledge on the quality of caregiving/maternal sensitivity among mothers with mild intellectual disabilities (ID) is limited and subject to many methodological shortcomings, but seems to suggest that these mothers are less sensitive than mothers without intellectual disabilities. METHODS: In this matched-comparison study (N = 48), the present authors observed maternal sensitivity for 20 min in four different laboratory play situations. The study also included semi-structured interviews to assess maternal experiences of maltreatment and child attachment. RESULTS: The present authors found significantly lower sensitivity among mothers with intellectual disabilities than among a comparison group of mothers without intellectual disabilities. Among mothers with intellectual disabilities, low sensitivity was related to maternal experiences of maltreatment and predictive of disorganized child attachment. In the comparison group, high maternal sensitivity was related to partner presence and social support, and predictive of child intelligence. CONCLUSIONS: The present authors highlight the importance of attending to intellectual disabilities mothers' history of receiving care to understand their capacity for giving adequate care.
BACKGROUND: Scientific knowledge on the quality of caregiving/maternal sensitivity among mothers with mild intellectual disabilities (ID) is limited and subject to many methodological shortcomings, but seems to suggest that these mothers are less sensitive than mothers without intellectual disabilities. METHODS: In this matched-comparison study (N = 48), the present authors observed maternal sensitivity for 20 min in four different laboratory play situations. The study also included semi-structured interviews to assess maternal experiences of maltreatment and child attachment. RESULTS: The present authors found significantly lower sensitivity among mothers with intellectual disabilities than among a comparison group of mothers without intellectual disabilities. Among mothers with intellectual disabilities, low sensitivity was related to maternal experiences of maltreatment and predictive of disorganized child attachment. In the comparison group, high maternal sensitivity was related to partner presence and social support, and predictive of child intelligence. CONCLUSIONS: The present authors highlight the importance of attending to intellectual disabilities mothers' history of receiving care to understand their capacity for giving adequate care.
Authors: Pehr Granqvist; L Alan Sroufe; Mary Dozier; Erik Hesse; Miriam Steele; Marinus van Ijzendoorn; Judith Solomon; Carlo Schuengel; Pasco Fearon; Marian Bakermans-Kranenburg; Howard Steele; Jude Cassidy; Elizabeth Carlson; Sheri Madigan; Deborah Jacobvitz; Sarah Foster; Kazuko Behrens; Anne Rifkin-Graboi; Naomi Gribneau; Gottfried Spangler; Mary J Ward; Mary True; Susan Spieker; Sophie Reijman; Samantha Reisz; Anne Tharner; Frances Nkara; Ruth Goldwyn; June Sroufe; David Pederson; Deanne Pederson; Robert Weigand; Daniel Siegel; Nino Dazzi; Kristin Bernard; Peter Fonagy; Everett Waters; Sheree Toth; Dante Cicchetti; Charles H Zeanah; Karlen Lyons-Ruth; Mary Main; Robbie Duschinsky Journal: Attach Hum Dev Date: 2017-07-26