Maternal psychopathology and attachment in toddlers of heavy cocaine-usingmothers

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among maternal ps ychopathology, early sensitive caregiving, and security of attachment in a sample of cocaine-using women from environments with high contextual risks that include poverty, low educational attainment, minority status, and sing le parenthood. Thirty-five women and their offspring participated in the st udy. Maternal psychopathology, including Axis I and Axis II disorders, was assessed during the prenatal period via a self-report clinical measure. Mat ernal sensitivity was assessed at 1 month and 6 months postdelivery through rating scales. At 18 months postdelivery, toddlers' attachment to their mo thers was assessed via the Strange Situation procedure. Also at 18 months, mothers' level of depression was assessed via a depression inventory. Mater nal psychopathology during pregnancy was found to be associated with both e arly caregiving and attachment. Mothers demonstrating clinical levels of pa rticular Axis II disorders provided less sensitive caregiving, and had todd lers who were more likely to be disorganized/disoriented in their attachmen ts. For Axis I disorders, only clinical levels of prenatal dysthymia were f ound to be associated with a greater likelihood of secure attachment.