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Maternal Representations of Attachment As Affected by Conditions of Proximity and Separation Karen V Seton Hall University eRepository @ Seton Hall Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs) 2011 Maternal Representations of Attachment as Affected by Conditions of Proximity and Separation Karen V. Monaco Seton Hall University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations Part of the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Monaco, Karen V., "Maternal Representations of Attachment as Affected by Conditions of Proximity and Separation" (2011). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 1431. https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/1431 MATERNAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ATTACHMENT AS AFFECTED BY CONDITIONS OF PROXIMITY AND SEPARATION BY KAREN V. MONACO Dissertation Committee Olivia Lewis-Chang, Ph.D., Mentor Thomas Massarelli, Ph.D. Cheryl Thompson-Sard, Ph.D. Jill Harris, Ph.D. Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Ofthe Requirements for the Degree Doctor ofPhilosophy Seton Hall University 2011 ABSTRACT MATERNAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ATTACHMENT AS AFFECTED BY CONDITIONS OF PROXIMITY AND SEPARATION The nature of attachment in the human infant has been a topic of interest for some time. Maternal representations ofattachment, which describe the way a mother thinks about her infant, are crucial to the quality ofthe infant's developing attachment to his or her mother. What is known is that poor maternal representations ofattachment are related to poor infant attachment. The separation ofa mother from her infant, as occurs when an infant is admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery, interferes with the natural reciprocity of maternal- infant behaviors. Maternal attachment behaviors have been studied with relation to such variables as the time the baby is held after birth, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and potential loss ofthe baby. However, to date no studies have explored the relationship between the length ofstay in the NICU and maternal representations ofattachment. The goal ofthis current study was to test the following hypotheses: (a) The Separation group will score lower that the Proximity group on Warmth/Affection, and higher on Hostility/Aggression, IndifferencelNeglect and Undifferentiated Rejection; (b) The longer the length ofSeparation in the NICU, the lower the score on Warmth/Affection and the higher the scores on Hostility/Aggression, IndifferencelNeglect and Undifferentiated Rejection; (c) Previous Secure attachment style will score higher on Warmth/Affection and lower on Hostility/Aggression, IndifferencelNeglect and Undifferentiated Rejection. Ninety mothers participated in this study. Participants completed the Maternal Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire i (Rohner, 2004), the Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991), and a demographic questionnaire. Hypotheses I was tested using a multiple analysis ofvariance; Hypotheses II was tested using a simple, linear regression analysis; Hypothesis III was tested using a multiple analysis ofvariance. Hypothesis I was partially supported. There were significant differences between the Proximity/Separation groups on Warmth/Affection and Hostility/Aggression. Hypothesis II was partially supported. As Length ofSeparation increased, the scores on Warmth/Affection decreased, and the scores on Hostility/Aggression increased. Hypothesis III was partially supported. The mothers with a previous Secure attachment style scored higher on Warmth/Affection and lower on Undifferentiated Rejection. ii Ronald and Nancy Rohner Center for the Study of Parental Acceptance and Rejection School of Family Studies, Box U-2058, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-2058 USA March 22,2004 To Whom It May Concern: Permission is granted to Karen Monaco to reproduce and use measures purchased from Rohner Research for her dissertation research. ;if2J­ (7)';; il R~~ner, Yrofessor Emeritus Family Studies and Anthropology Director, Ronald and Nancy Rohner Center CEO, ROHNER RESEARCH 255 Codfish Falls Road Storrs, CT 06268-1425 USA www.home.earthlink.netj-rohneresearch RPR/n [email protected] PHONE (860) 486-0073 FAX (860) 486-3452 MATERNAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ATTACHMENT AS AFFECTED BY CONDITIONS OF PROXIMITY AND SEPARATION BY KAREN V. MONACO Dissertation Committee Olivia Lewis-Chang, Ph.D., Mentor Thomas Massarelli, Ph.D. Cheryl Thompson-Sard. Ph.D. Jill Harris, Ph.D. Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Ofthe Requirements for the Degree Doctor ofPhilosophy Seton Hall University 2011 SETON HALL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES OIFFCE OF GRADUATE STUDIES APPROVAL FOR DISSERTATION ORALS Please print the following information: Candidate: Karen Monaco Dissertation Title: MATERNAL REPRESENT ATrONS OF ATTACHMENT AS AFFECTED BY CONDITIONS OF PROXIMITY AND SEPARATION Academic Department: Department ofProfessional Psychology & Family Therapy Degree: PH.D. in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Committee: Please sign AND print your name: Mentor (sign/date): .~ , ~v::- ~-,C"'"7­ PRINT NAME: Dr. Olivia Lewis-Chang Committee Member (sign/date): &~ , I a-3-11 PRINT NAME: Dr. Thomas Massarelli I Committee Member (sign/date): --.::.(!j~....v.=-·_1¥&...;:;'=----I~~-_--~5--~3_'_/~/___ PRINT NAME: =D=r.-,=C=h=ery~l=Sa=r=d__--=-O_____________ Committee Member (sign/date): __-=J;--.-;/\AI1-.,-L-/\~ -=-==:........----:=;:-=r:;~/---1.4-+/--!J , ______ PRINT NAME: Dr. Jill Harris ~.~ YhQ Date Approved By Committee: ___________ Date Brought To Graduate Studies Office: _________ UBe sure this form is filed with the Office of Graduate Studies 30 days prior to your defense date. ABSTRACT MATERNAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ATTACHMENT AS AFFECTED BY CONDITIONS OF PROXIMITY AND SEPARATION The nature ofattachment in the human infant has been a topic ofinterest for some time. Maternal representations ofattachment, which describe the way a mother thinks about her infant, are crucial to the quality ofthe infant's developing attachment to his or her mother. What is known is that poor maternal representations ofattachment are related to poor infant attachment. The separation ofa mother from her infant, as occurs when an infant is admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery, interferes with the natural reciprocity ofmaternal- infant behaviors. Maternal attachment behaviors have been studied with relation to such variables as the time the baby is held after birth, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and potential loss ofthe baby. However, to date no studies have explored the relationship between the length ofstay in the NICU and maternal representations ofattachment. The goal ofthis current study was to test the following hypotheses: (a) The Separation group will score lower that the Proximity group on Warmth/Affection, and higher on Hostility/Aggression, IndifferencelNeglect and Undifferentiated Rejection; (b) The longer the length of Separation in the NICU, the t I lower the score on Warmth/Affection and the higher the scores on Hostility/Aggression, I IndifferencelNeglect and Undifferentiated Rejection; (c) Previous Secure attachment I style will score higher on Warmth/Affection and lower on Hostility/Aggression, I IndifferencelNeglect and Undifferentiated Rejection. Ninety mothers participated in this study. Participants completed the Maternal Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire I i ! (Rolmer, 2004), tile Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991), and a demographic questiolmaire. Hypotheses I was tested using a multiple analysis ofvariance; Hypotheses II was tested using a simple, linear regression analysis; Hypothesis III was tested using a multiple analysis ofvariance. Hypothesis I was partially supported. There were significant differences between the Proximity/Separation groups on Warmth/Alfection and Hostility/Aggression. Hypothesis II was partially suppol1ed. As Length ofSeparation increased, the scores on Warmtl1lAffection decreased, and the scores on Hostility/Aggression increased. Hypothesis III was partially supported. The mothers with a previous Secure attachment style scored higher on Warmtl1lAffection and lower on Undifferentiated Rejection. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIS'f OF TABLES..........................................................................vi I. IN'fRODUCTION.......................................................................1 Overview................................................................................. 1 Background...............................................................................2 Attachment Theory .............................................................3 Ethology..........................................................................4 Proximity, Separation and Loss ................................................6 Statement ofthe Problem ..........................................." .................... 11 Research Questions .....................................................................12 Hypotheses..............................................................................13 Significance ofthe Study ..............................................................14 Reactive Attachment Disorder ...........,.............................,....16 Conduct Disorder ..............................................................16 Anxiety..........................................................................17 Depression..................................................................... 17 Failure to Thrive ...............................................................18 Personality Disorder ..........................................................18
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