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ABSTRACT
This longitudinal study examined the associations among infant crying, symptoms of sleeping problems, and attachment while considering the influence of maternal sensitivity and depressive symptoms. One hundred and five healthy full-term infants (42.9% female) were assessed for crying and symptoms of sleeping problems at 3 and 18 months via parental interview. Maternal sensitivity was measured through researcher observation, and attachment was measured at 18 months using the Strange Situation procedure. It was found that infant crying and symptoms of sleeping problems were not linked to the organized patterns of secure or insecure (avoidant versus resistant) attachment. However, when the disorganized attachment was considered, there were direct links found from infant crying and symptoms of sleeping problems at 3 months (β= .22, p< .05) and 18 months (β= .21, p< .05). Thus, crying and symptoms of sleeping problems as early as 3 months may indicate a disruption in the coherence of infants’ relationship to their caretakers.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the researchers who assisted in recruitment and data collection: Tina Gutbrod, Libi Rust, and Karine Edme. We would also like to thank the participating hospitals (Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge; Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Luton; and Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Welwyn Garden City) and the parents and their children.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Financial Disclosure
Authors have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.