Attachment has generally been examined from the infant's perspective. We focused on
mothers' post-partum thoughts and behaviors. Guided by an ethological approach, maternal
bonding was examined under conditions of proximity, separation, and potential loss.
Ninety-one mothers were interviewed: mothers of full-term infants who maintained
continuous proximity to the infant, mothers of healthy premature infants who were
separated from the infant, and mothers of very low birthweight infants who experienced
potential loss and prolonged separation. Mothers of term infants reported medium-to-high
levels of preoccupations with thoughts of infant safety and well-being. Preoccupations
increased with separation (Group 2) and significantly decreased with impending loss (Group
3). Attachment behaviors and representations were the highest among mothers of term
infants and declined linearly with the duration of mother–infant separation. Maternal trait
anxiety and depression were related respectively to higher levels of preoccupations and
reduced attachment behaviors and representations, independent of the infant medical
condition and mother–child separation. Discussion focused on the comparability of maternal
and infant attachment in relation to the neurobiological system underlying bond formation.