Maternal sensitivity, early interactions and infant attachment: a systematic review

• Published in: Early child development and care Vol. 194; no. 11-12; pp. 1093 - 1108
• Main Authors: Montealegre-Ramón, María del Pilar, Martínez-Fuentes, María Teresa, Pérez-López, Julio, Sierra-García, Purificación
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 09-09-2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Attachment; Attachment Behaviour Q-set; Child development; Infant attachment; Infants; maternal sensitivity; mother-infant interaction; Mother-infant relations; Psychological assessment; Psychology; Strange Situation Procedure (SSP); Systematic review
• ISSN: 0300-4430; 1476-8275
• DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2024.2386324

The study aims to clarify the relation between maternal sensitivity and infant attachment security during the first two years of life. A systematic search has been carried out in six databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and Psychology and Behavioural) between January 2010 and February 2023. The terms used for the search were mother-infant interaction, infant attachment, and maternal sensitivity. In total, ten studies were selected in which mother-infant dyads from the general population participated. Eight studies showed favourable results to the positive relation between both constructs and two studies did not. The main findings from this review indicate a positive association between both concepts in most studies, independently of the assessment instrument used or the moment of evaluation. These results allow us to understand the importance of fostering sensitive behaviours in mothers to optimize child development and facilitate the formation of secure attachments.