MATERNAL COPING AND EARLY CHILD TEMPERAMENT - THEIR INFLUENCE ON MOTHER-CHILD ATTACHMENT AND THE COPING BEHAVIOR OF A ONE-YEAR-OLD CHILD

In the context of stress and coping, a prospective study during the fi rst year of life analyses characteristics of mothers and newborn infan ts as well as their interaction positively influencing early child dev elopment. 107 mother-child-dyads were assessed three times (during two weeks after birth, after six months and at the end of the first year) with observational methods, standardized tests and questionnaires (e. g.v the new UBV-MK instrument). Results show significant maternal infl uence on child's early coping development at the age of one year: chil dren of mothers with more adequate coping behavior in stressful mother -child-situations get on better with a stress situation. Adequate mate rnal coping involving also body contact has a positive effect on mothe r-child-attachment, especially for the difficult newborns.