Mother-Infant Attachment and Child Psychopathology: Insights from the Growing Up in Scotland Cohort

It may be possible to identify infants at risk of developing behavioural problems and to intervene early to improve outcomes. Atypical mother-infant attachment could be one indicator of risk. The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between self-assessed mother-infant attachment and the offspring´s behavioural problems in childhood and early adolescence. This study was based on data from the first Growing up in Scotland (GUS) birth cohort (n = 2225). Mother-infant attachment was assessed with the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale 10 months postnatally and child mental well-being was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire collected when the child was 7-8 years, 10-11 years and 12 years old. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between mother-infant attachment and mental health. Weaker reported mother-infant bonds were associated with later higher risk of child problems in most SDQ subscales at ages 7-8 and 10-11. For boys, some risks persisted until age 12, while all associations faded for girls. The study confirms a link between maternally reported weak attachment and behavioural problems, with the strongest effects in boys.