Hostile-helpless maternal mental states and quality of mother-infant interaction in a group of children at risk for maltreatment

Journal title MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA
Author/s Simona Guarino, Laura Vismara, Loredana Lucarelli
Publishing Year 2011 Issue 2011/2
Language Italian Pages 21 P. 73-93 File size 544 KB
DOI 10.3280/MAL2011-002005
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The research involved 20 mother-child dyads at risk for maltreatment with the purpose to evaluate the impact of maternal Hostile/Helpless states of mind upon the quality of interactive patterns. The mothers were assessed through the AAI and the hostile/helpless state of mind coding systems (HH); furthermore, dyadic exchanges were observed and videorecorded. Results highlight mainly insecure (55%) and disorganized (35%) models of attachment. 40% of mothers have an HH state of mind; these mothers showed higher difficulties in the relation with their child (t = 2,71; p < 0,01) and more negative affects (t = 2,68; p < 0,01). Data confirm that hostile/helpless states influence the quality of dyadic interaction, thus showing important implications related to abusive parenting.

Keywords: Child maltreatment, traumatic experiences, attachment, dyadic interaction

Simona Guarino, Laura Vismara, Loredana Lucarelli, Stati mentali materni di ostilità e impotenza e qualità dell’interazione diadica in un gruppo di bambini a rischio di maltrattamento in "MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA" 2/2011, pp 73-93, DOI: 10.3280/MAL2011-002005