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The significance of mothers’ attachment representations for vagal responding during interactions with infants

The significance of mothers’ attachment representations for vagal responding during interactions... Little is known about the significance of mothers’ attachment for neurobiological responding during interactions with infants. To address this gap, this study examined links between mothers’ (N = 139) attachment representations and dynamic change in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) while interacting with infants in the Still-Face Procedure (SFP). Mothers higher on secure base script knowledge (SBSK) exhibited greater RSA reactivity during the SFP characterized by lower RSA during normal play, higher RSA during the still-face, and lower RSA during reunion. Findings indicate that mothers higher on SBSK exhibit RSA responding expected to support active behavioral coping during normal play and reunion – consistent with the need to engage infants in social interaction – and RSA responding during the still-face expected to support efforts to calm the body and empathize with their infant during this distressing social disruption. Findings advance knowledge of the significance of adult attachment for the neurobiology of caregiving. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Attachment & Human Development Taylor & Francis

The significance of mothers’ attachment representations for vagal responding during interactions with infants

Xu, Nanxi; Groh, Ashley M.
Attachment & Human Development , Volume 25 (1): 21 – Jan 2, 2023
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21 pages

The significance of mothers’ attachment representations for vagal responding during interactions with infants

Abstract

Little is known about the significance of mothers’ attachment for neurobiological responding during interactions with infants. To address this gap, this study examined links between mothers’ (N = 139) attachment representations and dynamic change in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) while interacting with infants in the Still-Face Procedure (SFP). Mothers higher on secure base script knowledge (SBSK) exhibited greater RSA reactivity during the SFP characterized by...
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Copyright
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
ISSN
1469-2988
eISSN
1461-6734
DOI
10.1080/14616734.2021.1876615
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Little is known about the significance of mothers’ attachment for neurobiological responding during interactions with infants. To address this gap, this study examined links between mothers’ (N = 139) attachment representations and dynamic change in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) while interacting with infants in the Still-Face Procedure (SFP). Mothers higher on secure base script knowledge (SBSK) exhibited greater RSA reactivity during the SFP characterized by lower RSA during normal play, higher RSA during the still-face, and lower RSA during reunion. Findings indicate that mothers higher on SBSK exhibit RSA responding expected to support active behavioral coping during normal play and reunion – consistent with the need to engage infants in social interaction – and RSA responding during the still-face expected to support efforts to calm the body and empathize with their infant during this distressing social disruption. Findings advance knowledge of the significance of adult attachment for the neurobiology of caregiving.

Journal

Attachment & Human Development – Taylor & Francis

Published: Jan 2, 2023

Keywords: Adult attachment; secure base script; autonomic physiology; respiratory sinus arrhythmia; infant distress

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