PROJECT

HAND-IN-HAND INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

In this project, we are investigating the contributors to infant social and emotional development. We conducted a randomized-controlled intervention study. Mothers were randomly assigned to either an attachment-based home visiting intervention or a psycho-educational home visiting intervention.

Two hundred twenty mothers were recruited from hospitals after giving birth in the greater Washington, DC area.  We collected data on these mothers and their infants over two years in the home and in the laboratory at four time-points: 5 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months.

Data collection for this project is now complete. Using a longitudinal design, we examined:

• Maternal attachment using the Adult Attachment Interview
• Observations of parent-child interactions
• Infant attachment using the Strange Situation
• Infant development and behavior throughout the first 2 years of life

Researchers are currently writing manuscripts for publication based on our research findings. Please contact Laura Sherman (ljsherman@psyc.umd.edu) for more information or questions about the project.