Written By: Stacy Turner
”If we value our children, we must cherish their parents,” -Bowlby
Attachment Theory
Attachment theory describes the bonds children form with their main caregivers, especially their mother, and they play a big role in their emotional growth. The theory explains different attachment styles like secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized. Research on attachment findings suggest that having a secure attachment may help protect parent-child relationships from the negative effects of maternal depression (Risi et al., 2021). Risi et al., (2021) believe these early relationships impact attachment styles by influencing regulation, cognitive growth, and shape how children will handle long-term relationships later in life. A secure attachment happens when a caregiver is caring, dependable, and supportive, helping the child feel safe to explore their environment.
Maternal Mental Health
Maternal mental health is about how mothers feel mentally during pregnancy and after giving birth. Many mothers face challenges like postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health issue that causes significant distress for both the mother and her child (Śliwerski et al., 2020). This time is important for both the mother’s well-being and her ability to connect with and care for her baby. When a mother’s mental health is affected, it can impact her bond with the baby. This sometimes leads to insecure attachment or other developmental issues.
Link Between The Two
The link between attachment theory and maternal mental health is about how a mother’s emotional well-being affects her relationship with her baby. Studies on depression suggest that Postpartum depression (PPD) may be linked to difficulties in forming the bond between mother and child (Śliwerski et al., 2020). For example, a mother experiencing high levels of stress or feeling overwhelmed might struggle to be fully attentive or responsive to her baby’s cues. This can make it difficult for the baby to feel consistently comforted or understood, which may lead to an insecure attachment. An example of insecure attachment could be when the baby becomes overly clingy or withdraws and avoids seeking comfort (Dagan et al., 2021). On the other hand, when a mother is mentally healthy and supported, she is more likely to respond well to her baby’s needs. This supports the creation of a secure attachment.
What You Can Do
Here are some steps to support a healthy attachment:
Talk openly with your partner or trusted people about your feelings and challenges, which helps reduce stress and avoid isolation. Like babies, mothers also need a stable and reliable support system.
Share responsibilities giving the mother time for self-care. Regular rest and naps can reduce stress. Taking care of physical and mental health needs help the mother to respond to their baby’s needs.
Find a therapist who focuses on attachment-based therapy. This therapy focuses on how early relationships and attachment influence emotional well-being. Finding an attachment-based therapist can be supportive with maternal mental health and strengthening bonds. You can find a therapist right here at Counseling Works!
References
Dagan, O., Groh, A., Madigan, S., & Bernard, K. (2021). A lifespan development theory of insecure attachment and internalizing symptoms: Integrating meta-analytic evidence via a testable evolutionary Mis/Match hypothesis. Brain Sciences, 11(9), 1226. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11091226
Risi, A., Pickard, J. A., & Bird, A. L. (2021). The implications of parent mental health and wellbeing for parent-child attachment: A systematic review. PloS one, 16(12), e0260891. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260891
Śliwerski, A., Kossakowska, K., Jarecka, K., Świtalska, J., & Bielawska-Batorowicz, E. (2020). The Effect of Maternal Depression on Infant Attachment: A Systematic Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(8), 2675. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082675
