MOTHERS’ REFLECTIVE FUNTIONING AND INFANT ATTACHMENT: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE LINKS WITH MATERNAL SENSITIVITY AND MATERNAL MIND-MINDEDNESS
The objective of this study was to examine pathways from mothers’ reflective functioning (RF) and maternal mind-mindedness (MMM) to infant attachment through maternal sensitivity. RF was assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), maternal sensitivity and MMM was assessed during mother-infant interactions. Infant attachment was assessed using the Strange Situation paradigm in 88 mother-infant dyads. The findings of a pathways analysis showed that the link between mothers’ RF and infant attachment was mediated by maternal sensitivity. Maternal sensitivity also mediated the link between MMM and infant attachment. Implications for interventions are discussed.