ABSTRACT

This study investigated links between maternal postnatal oxytocin, maternal sensitivity, and infant attachment security. At 3-months postpartum, participants (n=88) took part in a structured parent-infant interaction. Maternal oxytocin levels were assessed via blood, before and after the interaction. At 12-months postpartum, mother-child dyads completed the Strange Situation Procedure. Neither baseline oxytocin, oxytocin response, or maternal sensitivity were identified as significant independent predictors of infant attachment security or organisation. However, an interaction effect was identified, with higher maternal sensitivity being associated with secure infant attachment for mothers who showed an increase in oxytocin during parent–child interaction. Results indicate that maternal sensitivity, when accompanied by an increase in maternal oxytocin during parent–child interaction, is associated with the establishment of a positive early parent–child attachment relationship. This adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting maternal oxytocin response as a key adaptive process in the postpartum period.

摘要

本研究调查了产妇产后催产素、产妇敏感性和婴儿依恋安全性之间的联系。在产后 3 个月时，参与者 (n=88) 参加了结构化的亲子互动。在相互作用之前和之后，通过血液评估母体催产素水平。在产后 12 个月时，母子二人组完成了奇怪的情况程序。基线催产素、催产素反应或母体敏感性均未被确定为婴儿依恋安全或组织的重要独立预测因子。然而，确定了一种相互作用效应，对于在亲子互动期间表现出催产素增加的母亲来说，更高的母亲敏感性与婴儿安全依恋相关。结果表明，母体敏感性，在亲子互动过程中伴随着母体催产素的增加，与早期亲子依恋关系的建立有关。这增加了越来越多的证据表明母体催产素反应是产后的关键适应过程。