BEHAVIORAL-INHIBITION, ATTACHMENT AND ANXIETY IN CHILDREN OF MOTHERS WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS

Objective: This study examined the relationship between behavioural in hibition, insecure mother-child attachment and evidence of anxiety in the offspring of mothers with anxiety disorders. Method: Twenty childr en aged 18 to 59 months who were born to 18 mothers with diagnosed anx iety disorders were examined for behavioural inhibition (Kagan's measu res) and mother-child attachment (Strange Situation Procedure). Child anxiety was assessed using DSM-III-R criteria and the Child Behavior C hecklist (CBCL). Results: Sixty-five percent of the children were beha viourally inhibited. They showed more somatic problems and fewer destr uctive behaviours than those who were not inhibited. Eighty percent of the children were insecurely attached. They had higher CBCL internali zing scores than secure children and three of them met diagnostic crit eria for anxiety disorders. Conclusion: Though preliminary, this work suggests a need to identify children of anxious mothers as being at ri sk for anxiety, especially in the presence of inhibited temperament or attachment difficulties.