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Maternal Sensitivity in Mothers with Mild Intellectual Disabilities is Related to Experiences of Maltreatment and Predictive of Child Attachment: A Matched‐Comparison Study
Author(s) -
Lindberg Lene,
Fransson Mari,
Forslund Tommie,
Springer Lydia,
Granqvist Pehr
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12300
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , maternal sensitivity , psychology , developmental psychology , borderline intellectual functioning , intellectual ability , clinical psychology , psychiatry , cognition
Background Scientific knowledge on the quality of caregiving/maternal sensitivity among mothers with mild intellectual disabilities ( ID ) is limited and subject to many methodological shortcomings, but seems to suggest that these mothers are less sensitive than mothers without intellectual disabilities. Methods In this matched‐comparison study ( N = 48), the present authors observed maternal sensitivity for 20 min in four different laboratory play situations. The study also included semi‐structured interviews to assess maternal experiences of maltreatment and child attachment. Results The present authors found significantly lower sensitivity among mothers with intellectual disabilities than among a comparison group of mothers without intellectual disabilities. Among mothers with intellectual disabilities, low sensitivity was related to maternal experiences of maltreatment and predictive of disorganized child attachment. In the comparison group, high maternal sensitivity was related to partner presence and social support, and predictive of child intelligence. Conclusions The present authors highlight the importance of attending to intellectual disabilities mothers' history of receiving care to understand their capacity for giving adequate care.