Boklaga, Susan

Attachment strategies are patterns of attachment that develop over the lifespan, and provide a
description of interpersonal behavior along with a functional system for diagnosing psychopathology.
Genetic factors, in the context of development and the environment regulate the maturation process. As
the brain matures, it synthesizes past memories with present experiences in order to judge the behavior
of others in future relationships. This is significant because the purpose of the attachment figure is to
provide protection and aid the child in “making sense” of information made available to them. Research
in adult psychopathology continues to show a correlation between adult psychopathology, cortisol, and
disruptions in the childhood attachment system. This study will examine how the Dynamic Maturation
Model theory of attachment strategies influence care that mothers give to their infants, and if cortisol
serves as a moderator. The Adult Attachment Interview and Infant Care Index will be administered to
mother/infant dyads. Attachment strategies and quality of infant care indicated by both measurements
will be coded , correlated, and cortisol measured. If findings indicate a correlation, treatment
interventions can be designed for post- postpartum mothers to prevent long term child and adult mental
health psychopathology and associated social problems that may have their etiology in childhood.

Memories of early relationships and attachments are coded into the brain as an internal working model These models include expectations, appraisals, and rules for processing or excluding information that remain throughout development. The process is also known as Mentalization and involves the child developing the capacity to correctly interpret the behavioral cues of others through use of reflective functioning. Children with secure attachments develop the capacity to mentalize and develop minimal psychopathology that follows them into adulthood. Insecure attachments in children are consequential due to the parent’s failure to incorporate their own reflective functioning capabilities into their child rearing practices which results in ineffective parenting.
<br>Possible consequential long term effects include: child and adult psychopathology, learning difficulties, and overall societal decline as children repeat the negative trajectories of their parents due to the failure of the parent and child to effectively use their reflective functioning abilities. These children are high risk to develop adult personality disorders, particularly Borderline Personality Disorder
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