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Postnatal depression (PND) is a debilitating condition that has demonstrated negative impacts on the mother, her infant, and her intimate and social relationships. Using an attachment theory perspective, this study examined the relationship of insecure working models of attachment to depression, marital quality, infant bonding, and social support in Australian samples of diagnosed depressed (n=47) and comparison (n=68) mothers. Clinically depressed mothers reported less security of attachment and more preoccupied and fearful attachment. Irrespective of diagnostic status, attachment styles characterised by a negative model of self were associated with higher depression and lower quality of relationship with baby and spouse and the perception of less social support. The role of dismissing attachment in the outcomes was less clear. The potential mutual influence of depression and attachment working models is discussed, and it is concluded that while insecure attachment working models may be associated with p...

This study examined psychological health, maternal attachment, and attachment style in an Australian sample of breast‐ and formula‐feeding mothers. Thirty‐six breast‐feeding and 24 formula‐feeding women with a child between 4 and 6 months of age were recruited through community health centres and snowball sampling. Participation involved a 30‐minute interview and completion of relevant questionnaires. Contrary to expectations, no differences were found between breast‐ and formula‐feeding mothers in terms of their psychological health and maternal attachment. Results suggest that secure attachment styles are related to greater psychological health and that they predict the likelihood of a mother changing feeding method. The results of this study challenge widely held assumptions concerning the importance of breast‐feeding for maternal well‐being and attachment with infants, and support the literature suggesting attachment styles play an important role in affect regulation and the adjustment to new motherhood.