Transition to Motherhood and Psychological Maladjustment: An Attachment Theory Perspective

This study developed and tested an attachment-based theoretical model of risk and vulnerability factors for poor mental health and maladjustment in the transition to motherhood. The findings highlight the importance of simultaneously screening the functioning of the mothers attachment and caregiving behavioural systems to identify women and their infants who may be at risk of maladjustment and poor mental health during this transition.