Examines to what extent Hansburg's Separation Anxiety Test matrix of correlations between theoretical factors can be replicated in an independent sample and how closely empirically derived factors from a factor analysis of test scales resemble the composition of Hansburg's theoretically based factors. Results provide minimal empirical support for…

Preschool children transferring to new schools were observed during a two-week period prior to separation from classmates. "Anticipatory" reactions by departing children were similar to behaviors noted in young children separated from their mothers during the mother's hospitalization for the birth of another child. (Author/RH)

Observed the transitions between different caregivers and between waking and sleeping for a male toddler. The transitions were rated according to the affect displayed by the toddler. Results indicated that transitions involving the toddler coming into the care of his parents were less disturbing than those involving his coming into the care of…

Examined the effects of maternal employment and separation anxiety on maternal interactive behavior and infant attachment in 73 mother-infant pairs. Employed mothers who reported high levels of separation anxiety were more likely than low-anxiety mothers to exhibit intrusive behaviors. Although employment was not directly related to attachment,…

Assessed childhood trauma experiences (sexual abuse, physical abuse, witnessed violence, early separation) and family environment characteristics of 17 depressed female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and 19 without BPD. Significantly, more BPD subjects reported histories of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and witnessed violence.…

This study examined the relationship between moderate-level prenatal alcohol exposure, prenatal stress, and postnatal response to a challenging event in 6-month-old rhesus monkeys. Forty-one rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) infants were exposed prenatally to moderate level alcohol, maternal stress, or both. Offspring plasma cortisol and…

Background: This study examines the use of the Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) to screen for childhood psychiatric disorder based on Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (DISC-IV) classifications of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD),…

Reactions of foster children to separation from their families of origin were identified from case materials of 36 Canadian protective service workers. A broad range of reactions was apparent. Discussion focuses on anxiety, regression, physiological symptoms, denial of feelings, persistent attachment to rejecting or unreliable parents, rebellious…

Jerzy Kosinski's "The Painted Bird" is used as a case study to illustrate the universal and necessary unity which binds loneliness, hostility, anxiety, and despair over the possibility of communicating within individual isolated human consciousness. (HOD/Author)

This study observed the communicative partnerships between normal-hearing mothers and their normal-hearing (N=3) or hearing-impaired (N=5) children (ages 17-46 months) prior to brief periods of separation. Results indicated that the quality and development of communicative interaction between normal-hearing mothers and hearing-impaired children is…

Two studies found that (1) women who preferred employment but remained at home reported higher levels of depressive symptomatology than the other women studied; and (2) homemakers who preferred employment held conflicting sets of beliefs about the maternal role, separation from their infants, careers, and employment. (RH)

Reports results of 2 studies concerning mother-infant separation from the maternal perspective. In the first study, 620 mothers responded to questionnaires from which 3 subscales were labeled. In the second study, 36 women were assessed. Results supported the validity of the questionnaire and the construct. (RJC)

Associations between mother's models of attachment and mother and child behaviors related to separation were explored in a study of 45 mothers and their 2- to 4-year-old children. Results showed that mother behaviors before and after separation and child reunion behaviors varied according to attachment classification. (SH)

Sixty five year olds and their mothers were given the semiprojective, picture-based Separation Anxiety Test (SAT), which was scored to reflect attachment, self-reliance, and avoidance. Ratings were correlated with observed attachment status during a brief laboratory separation-reunion procedure. (DR)

Examined infants' emotionality, inside and outside of the relationship with the mother, and mothers' responsiveness as predictors of reunion behaviors in the Strange Situation. Found that children's separation distress mediated influence of predictors and itself predicted reunion behaviors. When distress was controlled, some responses generally…