DRD4 7-repeat polymorphism moderates the association between maternal unresolved loss or trauma and infant disorganization

Abstract

Previous studies have related attachment disorganization in children to either dopamine D4 receptor polymorphisms or maternal unresolved loss or trauma and frightening or anomalous parenting. In this study it was examined whether the interaction between genetic (DRD4 7-repeat and -521 C/T) and environmental risk factors (maternal unresolved loss/trauma and maternal frightening behavior) was associated with infant disorganization. A moderating role of the DRD4 gene was found. Maternal unresolved loss or trauma was associated with infant disorganization, but only in the presence of the DRD4 7-repeat polymorphism. The increase in risk for disorganization in children with the 7-repeat allele exposed to maternal unresolved loss/trauma compared to children without these combined risks was 18.8 fold. Similar moderating effects were not found for maternal frightening behavior. Our findings indicate that children are differentially susceptible to unresolved loss or trauma dependent on the presence of the 7-repeat DRD4 allele.     

The role of disconnected and extremely insensitive parenting in the development of disorganized attachment: validation of a new measure

Early adverse caregiving experiences constitute an important risk factor for the development of disorganized attachment in infancy, especially extreme insensitivity and frightening behavior associated with an unresolved loss or trauma. Using existing measures for frightening parenting and disrupted communication, we developed a new measure assessing Disconnected and extremely Insensitive Parenting (DIP), in order to investigate the unique contribution of disconnected and extremely insensitive parenting behaviors to infant disorganization. Maternal behavior was assessed during a laboratory session in a low-risk sample of 202 mothers and their infants. Construct and discriminant validity of the DIP was established for both types of parental behavior. Disconnected parental behavior predicted infant disorganization but not organized attachment security, whereas extreme insensitivity was marginally related to organized attachment insecurity in boys but not to attachment disorganization.     

Mothers’ insightfulness regarding their children’s inner world: associations with mothers’ history of sexual abuse and lack of resolution of the trauma

ABSTRACT

The study examined the insightfulness of mothers who experienced Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA). Based on attachment theory, we hypothesized that mothers who experienced CSA will be less insightful than those who did not experience CSA, and that state of mind with no marked signs of lack of resolution of the trauma can buffer against its negative effects. The insightfulness of 30 mothers who experienced CSA and 30 demographically matched mothers but with no CSA was assessed using the Insightfulness Assessment. Mothers’ lack of resolution of the trauma was assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview. In addition, maternal psychopathology was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory. As hypothesized, mothers who experienced CSA were less insightful than mothers who did not experience CSA. In addition, mothers who experienced CSA but who were not unresolved were more insightful than those who were unresolved, and no different than mothers who did not experience CSA. These results expand our understanding regarding the risk embedded in parenting in light of unresolved traumatic past and the importance of resolution as a buffer.     

The viability of the Parenting Representations Interview for assessing and measuring change in parents of adolescents

Parents’ representations include parents’ views of their adolescent, of their own parenting and of the parent–adolescent relationship. Two longitudinal studies of parents and their adolescent sons and daughters support the validity of scales coding mothers in the Parenting Representations Interview-Adolescence (PRI-A). The studies, conducted in Israel during the transition from home to military service, demonstrated that three dimensions derived from the PRI-A: positive representations of adolescents, negative emotionality and inadequate boundaries were associated with adolescents’ AAI variables, relatedness-autonomy behaviors with mothers, and with other indicators, such as adolescents’ wellbeing, romantic intimacy and individuation. Examining parenting representations could help practitioners pinpoint targets for intervention and evaluate the changes that families go through during psychotherapy, as well as the therapeutic process and its outcomes. The findings support the viability of the PRI for use in attachment based interventions for adolescents.     

中小学生家庭教养方式与创伤症状相关性研究

目的 调查中小学生家庭教养方式和创伤症状,分析其相关性及影响心理创伤严重程度的因素,为有效的社区健康干预提供依据.方法 采用多阶段抽样,用埃森创伤症状和家庭教养方式量表,对筛检出的1 793例经历创伤事件的儿童青少年进行问卷调查并分析.结果 不同年龄儿童青少年放任型家庭教养方式得分差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);不同性别儿童青少年专制型家庭教养方式得分差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).专制型和放任型教养方式分别与创伤症状各维度及总分呈正相关(P＜0.05),相关系数r分布在0.065～0.271之间;权威型教养方式与创伤症状各维度及总分呈负相关(P＜0.05),相关系数r分布为-0.069～-0.196.多元回归显示创伤症状得分的影响因素为权威型、专制型和放任型家庭教养方式,以及是否为学生干部.结论 社区应建立儿童青少年创伤事件监测体系,关注社区经历创伤事件的儿童青少年,并提供针对性干预措施.