INFANTS IN GROUP CARE - PATTERNS OF DESPAIR AND DETACHMENT

Ninety nine infants were observed at entry into child care and at 3-mo nth intervals during the first 6 months. We examined changes in relati ons among indices of adjustment and caregiver behaviors and which entr y variables predict patterns of 6-month adjustment. Toy play shows no systematic relation with infant affective behavior at entry, yet 6 mon ths later it is associated with positive affect and reduced social inv olvement. Caregiver interaction also changes; after 6 months expressiv e children receive more and different forms of attention than do nonex pressive children. Bowlby's (1969) account of institutionalized infant s was used to identify different patterns of adjustment. Despair-like infants were distressed, immobilized, and self-soothing at entry. Infa nts who were detachment-like (i.e., object centered, happy, and social ly unengaged after 6 months) received less attention from caregivers a t entry. Some 6-month patterns have their roots in temperament disposi tions, with differential outcomes determined largely by caregiver resp onsiveness.