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This study examined the relationship between maternal personality factors, as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the development of the attachment relationship. The subjects were 45 firstborn 12-month-olds and their mothers. The sample was preponderantly white, middle class, and married. Mothers completed the Depression, Psychopathic Deviate, and Introversion scales of the MMPI and participated in the Ainsworth Strange Situation with their infants. The attachment behaviors of infants were classified as secure (B), insecure-avoidant (A), insecure-ambivalent/resistant (C), or disorganized/disoriented (D). The insecure classifications were collapsed so that attachment was analyzed using only the secure versus insecure dimensions. Findings revealed that mothers of infants classified as secure had higher mean scores than mothers of insecure infants on the scale of Psychopathic Deviate and lower mean scores on the Introversion scale, with no significant difference on the Depression Scale. No mothers scored in the clinical range, and the mean scores did not suggest any psychopathology. Mothers of secure infants admitted to more family problems and described themselves as less introverted than mothers of insecure infants. Mothers of insecure infants showed more denial and increased introversion in comparison to mothers of secure infants. (KDFB)

This paper describes the Parent Services Program offered at Saint Joseph's School for the Deaf (New York) which has a 92% minority population student body. The Parent Services Program utilizes three social workers to meet emotional and informational needs of the parents, through work with the immediate family initially and subsequently the extended family. Specific meetings focus on informative topics related to deafness or topics related to parents' feelings. Parents are grouped according to age levels of the children. Programs include a class in Exact English Signing, an English as a Second Language group, and an Evening Support group. Additional services include van transportation to meetings and a monthly newsletter which addresses deafness, deaf culture, and community services. All aspects of the program are designed to help parents become active participants in their children's development. (DB)