Citation

Belt RH, Kouvo A, Flykt M, Punamäki RL, Haltigan JD, Biringen Z, Tamminen T. Clin. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 2013; 18(1): 100-120.

Affiliation

University of Tampere, Department of Child Psychiatry, Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359104512444116

PMID

22569679

Abstract

Some mothers who have recently lost a significant attachment figure may become mentally incoherent and sporadically even enter a trancelike, dissociative state. Such states of mind have been shown to predict infant attachment disorganization. Infants born close to the time of a parental loss are at a greater risk for intergenerational trauma. A background of maternal substance abuse is also known to increase such risk. We illustrate by way of a case study how a mother-infant group psychotherapy programme aimed at substance-abusing mothers may help to prevent the transmission of mother's unresolved trauma to the infant. Another goal was to discuss how attachment-derived methods (namely, Adult Attachment Interview, Strange Situation Procedure and the Emotional Availability Scales) may aid in understanding the effects of the intervention.

Language: en