Internal Working Models of Parenting

Abstract

Drawing on attachment-caregiving theory, we interviewed parents of 24 infants with a complex congenital heart defect (CCHD) about parenting motivations through the first year. Using directed content analysis, 8 categories of motivations, focused either on the baby, the parent-infant relationship, family, self, or tasks were identified at 1, 4 or 6, and 12 months. A matrix of motivations by parent showed family and infant age variations. Motivations illustrated for 5 parents at 1 month suggest that specification of expectations and intentions and clustering of motivations mentioned by a parent would advance study of linkages of parenting internal working models with parenting action.