Mother-Infant Attachment in Adoptive Families

Abstract

Data from 2 separate samples using the Strange Situation paradigm were combined to assess the quality of attachment relationships in adoptive and nonadoptive mother-infant pairs. Infants were between 13 and 18 months at the time of observation. Results indicated no differences in mother-infant attachment between nonadopted and intraracial adopted subjects or between intraracial and interracial adopted subjects. Interracial adoptive mother-infant pairs did show a higher incidence of insecure attachment in comparison to nonadoptive pairs. Mothers of interracial adopted infants also were less comfortable having others care for their babies and perceived less emotional support from extended family and friends for their decision to adopt a child prior to the actual adoption than did other mothers. No relation was found, however, between quality of mother-infant attachment and either perceived social support, infant developmental quotient, infant temperament, number of foster homes experienced by the infant, or infant's age at the time of adoption placement. It was suggested that the higher incidence of psychological problems found among adoptees in middle childhood and adolescence cannot be explained in terms of insecure attachment relationships during the infancy years.

Parent blaming in child protection and health settings: A matter for concern

“…Further studies confirm these results. For example, an early study reported a similar quality of attachment between adoptive and non-adoptive families regardless of whether they were non-racially or racially adopted children (Singer, Brodzinsky, Ramsey, Steir & Waters 1985). The same study noted that lack of early contact with a child was not predictive of anxious mother-infant attachment.…”

Contributos da teoria da vinculação para a prática clínica desenvolvimental

“…De forma consistente com uma abordagem desenvolvimentista da vinculação, a segurança na relação de vinculação em casos de adopção tem sido relacionada com o momento da transição e com a qualidade dos cuidados prestados. Os estudos realizados neste âmbito sugerem que os bebés adoptados nos primeiros meses de vida têm uma elevada probabilidade de desenvolverem relações de vinculação seguras quase equivalente aos bebés não adoptados (Norhaus & Solnit, 1990;Singer, Brodzinsky, Ramsay, Steir, & Waters, 1985;Van den Dries, Juffer, Van IJzendoorn, & Bakermans-Kranenburg, 2009). Especialmente, quando o ambiente é caloroso, consistente e contingente às necessidades do bebé, a vinculação em situação de adopção construída desde cedo no processo de desenvolvimento, difere pouco da que é estabelecida entre progenitores e os seus filhos biológicos (Singer et al, 1985).…”

“…Os estudos realizados neste âmbito sugerem que os bebés adoptados nos primeiros meses de vida têm uma elevada probabilidade de desenvolverem relações de vinculação seguras quase equivalente aos bebés não adoptados (Norhaus & Solnit, 1990;Singer, Brodzinsky, Ramsay, Steir, & Waters, 1985;Van den Dries, Juffer, Van IJzendoorn, & Bakermans-Kranenburg, 2009). Especialmente, quando o ambiente é caloroso, consistente e contingente às necessidades do bebé, a vinculação em situação de adopção construída desde cedo no processo de desenvolvimento, difere pouco da que é estabelecida entre progenitores e os seus filhos biológicos (Singer et al, 1985). As crianças adoptadas em idades tardias, no entanto, têm maior probabilidade de apresentar dificuldades de ajustamento socioemocional e comportamental (Feigelman & Silverman, 1983;Tizard, 1977;Tizard & Hodges, 1978).…”

Infancy and Toddler Years

“…The possibility of forming these relationships with more than one caring adult has been tested in studies of adoptive families and communal living situations. Most adoptive mothers and their infants adopted before 6 months of age develop warm and secure attachment relationships (Singer et al, 1985). In the community relationship of the kibbutz or in African villages, children form attachment relationships of similar quality with nonfamilial caregivers (Sagi et al, 1995).…”