EARLY PREDICTORS OF ATTACHMENT IN INFANTS WITH CLEFT-LIP AND OR PALATE/

Previous studies have found that cl children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and isolated cleft palate (CP) have elevated risk for a variety of psychosocial problems, but the origins of such problems are unclea r. We expected that early medical and other stressors during infancy-i ncluding feeding problems and facial disfigurement-would have adverse Effects on the infant, his or her caregivers, and the family environme nt, leading to a higher than expected rate of insecure attachments amo ng infants with clefts. Twelve-month attachment classifications of CLP , CP, and comparison group infants were examined. No significant group differences in attachment status were found. When 3-month infant, mat ernal, and social/family characteristics were examined as potential pr edictors of insecure attachment, predictors interacted with diagnostic status. For the cleft group, infant and maternal characteristics, but not family characteristics, significantly predicted insecure attachme nt. For the comparison group, maternal and family characteristics, but not factors associated with the infant, were predictive. Infants with clefts, despite their special needs and caregiving requirements, seem not to have elevated risk for insecure attachments at the end of thei r first year. Contrary to social-psychological formulations, the facia l appearance of infants with CLP had no adverse effect on the quality of their maternal attachment.