Maternal coping and early child temperament: Their influence on mother-child attachment and the coping behaviour of a one year old child

In the context of stress and coping, a prospective study during the first year of life analyses characteristics of mothers and newborn infants as well as their interaction positively influencing early child development. 107 mother-child-dyads were assessed three times (during two weeks after birth, after six months and at the end of the first year) with observational methods, standardized tests and questionnaires (e.g.v the new UBV-MK instrument). Results show significant maternal influence on child's early coping development at the age of one year: children of mothers with more adequate coping behavior in stressful mother-child-situations get on better with a stress situation. Adequate maternal coping involving also body contact has a positive effect on mother-child-attachment, especially for the difficult newborns.