Maternal Attachment Networks and Mother–Infant Bonding Disturbances among Mothers with Postpartum Major Depression

Abstract

The literature suggests that insecure maternal attachment is a risk factor for postpartum depression which, in turn, affects mother–infant bonding. However, recent research on attachment has suggested that investigations of attachment networks provide further insight into the understanding of psychological outcomes. This study aimed to test a model, according to which, mothers’ attachments towards each of their parents contribute to explaining their attachment towards their romantic partners, which itself is associated with maternal postpartum depression and, in turn, mother–infant bonding. The Attachment Multiple Model Interview, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire were administered to 90 mothers of infants under 6 months of age (32 with postpartum major depression). The results showed that the attachment towards the partner (1) was best explained by the attachment towards the father and (2) mediated the link between the attachment to the father and the depression severity. Additionally, the depression severity mediated the link between the attachment to the partner and mother–infant bonding. These results highlight the role of attachment models towards the romantic partner and father in the perinatal period and the relevance of attachment-focused therapeutic programs for treating postpartum maternal depression.