Disorganized attachment associated with partner violence: A research note

Seventy-two low-income mothers and their 15-month-old infants were evaluated at home and in the laboratory to determine whether mothers' reports of distress and partner violence were associated with infant–mother attachment and infant mastery motivation. As predicted, mothers who experienced more serious partner violence were more likely to have infants with disorganized attachments to them. There was no association between mothers' experiences of partner violence and infant mastery motivation. Future research should evaluate the interrelationships between partner violence in adult caregivers and infant–caregiver attachments. Clinically, the mother–infant relationship should be evaluated routinely in cases in which partner violence is apparent.