Work

Can infant carrying prevent disorganized attachment? An intervention trial of adolescent mothers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Infant carrying (carrying a baby in a cloth carrier that is worn on the body) enhances close physical proximity, increases mothers' awareness of her infants' needs, and promotes positive maternal behavior. This study assessed whether an infant carrying intervention for adolescent mothers can reduce risk for attachment disorganization in early childhood through attuned and responsive caregiving. Sixty-seven mothers ( M = 19.3 years, SD = 2.3), randomly assigned to an intervention (infant carrying, n = 34) or control (reading, n = 33) condition, completed four in-home assessments: Wave 1 (3.2 weeks), Wave 2 (3.6 months), Wave 3 (6.7 months), Wave 4 (3.6 years). Maternal caregiving behaviors, including positive engagement, hostility, and withdrawal were measured using the Still Face Paradigm in infancy, and children's attachment disorganization was measured using Story Stems in early childhood. Infant carrying predicted lower attachment disorganization, which was fully mediated through greater maternal positive engagement and lower maternal hostility and withdrawal. Infant carrying is a culturally attuned parenting tool that can be integrated into existing parenting programs to mitigate the risk of infant attachment disorganization.

Source: Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology

DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2025.101918

Authors: Lela Rankin, Linnea B. Linde-Krieger

Institution: Arizona State University

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,580