Examining the role of parental frightened/frightening subtypes in predicting disorganized attachment within a brief observational procedure

Abstract

Following Main and Hesse's hypothesis, several investigators have affirmed that frightened/frightening (FR) as well as particular atypical maternal behaviors are associated with infant disorganized and adult unresolved attachment. Here, for the first time, FR behavior was observed in (a) middle-class father–infant (n = 25) and independent mother–infant dyads (n = 50) and (b) a brief laboratory play session. In addition, relations between disorganization, unresolved attachment, and the six FR system subscales were explored. Paternal and maternal overall FR behavior was related to infant disorganization (n = 75, φ = .61, p < .001), and for a subsample where Adult Attachment Interviews were available (n = 32), to unresolved adult attachment (φ = .59, p < .001). At the subscale level, disorganized-FR behaviors were related to infant disorganization, but only for mother–infant dyads. Across the whole sample, both dissociative-FR and threatening-FR subscales were associated with infant disorganization. The dissociative-FR subscale emerged as the central predictor of infant disorganization and was the only subscale significantly related to unresolved attachment. The appearance of FR behavior in this 18-min play procedure suggests that FR probably occurs more frequently than previously suspected. The possible role of dissociative processes in unresolved adult attachment, disorganized attachment, and FR parental behavior is discussed. This article is based on a doctoral dissertation completed by the first author (K.A.) in January 2000, in the Department of Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, supervised by Professor Mary Main, principle investigator of the Berkeley Social Development Project. The Berkeley Social Development Project is an ongoing longitudinal study supported by the William T. Grant Foundation; by a Bio-Medical Support Grant from HEW; by the Institute for Human Development, University of California at Berkeley; by The Harris Foundation; and by the Amini Foundation for the Study of Affects. Archived Adult Attachment Interview data were coded by Anitra DeMoss. The first author acknowledges Through the Looking Glass for their support and encouragement while this manuscript was being completed. We also especially thank Mary Main for providing valuable comments on earlier drafts of this article.