ATTACHMENT AND EARLY MALTREATMENT

Abstract

Attachment outcomes of 31 maltreatment cases (extreme neglect or abuse) selected from a total poverty sample of 267 high-risk mothers were compared at 12 and 18 mo. to a subsample of 33 cases with a history of excellent care. In accordance with the Bowlby-Ainsworth hypothesis, the maltreatment group was characterized by a low porportion of secure attachment (Ainsworth''s group B) at 12 mo. (38% compared to 75% in the excellent care group and 55% in the remaining total sample); differences at 18 mo. were not significant. Specifically, 50% of the cases with a history of neglect were in Ainsworth''s group C (anxious/resistant attachment) at 12 mo. compared to usual reports of .apprx. 10%, and compared to 21% in the total poverty sample. Patterns of attachment between 12-18 mo. remained stable for the mother-infant pairs in the excellent care group; 52% of the mistreated infants changed classifications. For the neglect subgroup there was considerable movement toward Ainsworth''s group A (anxious/avoidant attachment) at 18 mo., and some movement toward group B. An examination of the case histories of mother-infant pairs indicated that changes in attachment between 12-18 mo. were related to changing life events, support from family and out-of-home care. These findings are highly tentative as were the findings, which suggested, that secure attachment within the maltreatment group was associated with the presence of a supportive family member, less chaotic life-style, and, in some instances, a more robust infant.