Differential associations between behavioral and cortisol responses to a stressor in securely versus insecurely attached infants

摘要

In this study we examined whether securely versus insecurely attached infants use different regulatory behaviors in absence of their mother and whether these regulatory behaviors are differentially associated with physiological stress responses in secure versus insecure infants. Participants were 193 one-year-olds and their mothers. During three 3-min episodes of separation from the mother in the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) [1], the following infant regulatory behaviors were observed: crying, fussing, self-soothing, manipulation of toys, and manipulation of the door. Salivary cortisol was measured at baseline and 25, 40, and 60 min after the SSP to measure reactivity and recovery. Additionally, infants were classified as securely or insecurely attached to their mothers.