When caregivers are clinically depressed

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Caregivers who are clinically depressed are at risk of providing inconsistent and unresponsive caregiving, which can lead to insecure attachment in their children. Children of depressed caregivers may develop avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized attachment patterns, depending on the severity and duration of the depression and other contextual factors. However, not all children of depressed caregivers develop insecure attachment, and there may be other factors that buffer the negative effects of depression on attachment formation. Therefore, it is important to consider individual and contextual differences when examining the relationship between caregiver depression and infant attachment.

When Caregivers Are Clinically Depressed