Relationship assessment in infant mental health

Author(s): Boris, N. W., Heller, S. S., HinshawFuselier, S., Larrieu, J. A., Lewis, M., Palomino, R., Rovaris, M., Valliere, J.

Journal/Book: Infant Mental Hlth J. 1997; 18: Michigan State Univ, Dept Psychology, E Lansing, MI 48824-1117. Michigan Assn Infant Mental Health. 182-197.

Abstract: Infant-caregiver relationships are the crucial context for infant development and psychopathology. Considerable evidence suggests that infants may construct qualitatively different relationships with different caregivers. For these reasons, infant-caregiver relationships should be a centerpiece of assessment in infant mental health We advocate assessing infant relationships with all important caregivers in both clinic based and naturalistic settings. In this article we describe our approach, which attends both to the external component of the relationship, behavioral interaction, as well as the internal component of the relationship, subjective experience. By integrating results from assessments of these two components, we determine both level of relationship adaptation and the specific domains of strengths and weaknesses.

Note: Article Zeanah CH, Louisiana State Univ, Sch Med, Dept Psychiat, Div Infant Child & Adolescent Psychiat, New Orleans,LA 70112 USA

Keyword(s): ATTACHMENT; MOTHERS; REPRESENTATIONS; REUNION; MODELS; PARENT

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