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The influence of culture on maternal attachment behaviours: a South African case study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2020

Rachel Zaidman-Mograbi ,
Liana (MP) le Roux Open the ORCID record for Liana (MP) le Roux [Opens in a new window]  and
Herna Hall
Rachel Zaidman-Mograbi
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work & Criminology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Liana (MP) le Roux*
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work & Criminology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Herna Hall
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work & Criminology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
*
Author for correspondence: Liana (MP) le Roux, E-mail: liana.leroux@up.ac.za
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Abstract

It is widely accepted that culture is a contextual factor that can affect mother–infant attachment. Cultural beliefs are translated into child-rearing patterns that influence maternal responsiveness to infant attachment behaviours and could thus affect sensitive caregiving that lies at the heart of secure attachment. This article reports on the findings of a study that explored the influence of culture on maternal caregiving behaviours in the multi-cultural South African context. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews conducted with participants from three study samples to ascertain their perceptions of socio-cultural influences on attachment. Two samples consisted of mothers and mental health professionals, respectively, who represented different South African cultures (Xhosa, Sotho, Zulu, Coloured, Indian and White). The third sample consisted of experts in the field of attachment. The research findings indicate that culture could influence maternal caregiving behaviours. Although all the participants valued good caregiving, some maternal responses to infant attachment behaviours varied among participants from different cultures. The research emphasises the importance of considering local contexts in understanding attachment and maternal sensitivity.

Keywords

mother-infant attachmentculturematernal caregiver behaviours
Type
Articles
Information
Children Australia , Volume 45 , Issue 1 , March 2020 , pp. 30 - 39
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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