TABLE 3.

Helpless/Fearful Profile of Parental Behavior

Delayed responsiveness or ignored cues, usually followed by compliance to infant's continued demands (e.g., greets or hugs infant only after persistent bids by the infant) Withdrawing/distancing (e.g., fails to greet, interacts from a distance, stands at a distance, circles around the infant, holds infant facing out) Cursory Responsiveness (e.g., gives quick hug then moves away; “hot potato” quality to treatment of infant) Directs infant away from self to toys; uses toys to soothe Hesitation or tension at moments of heightened attachment, such as greetings or contact-seeking by the infant (e.g., parent hesitates, freezes, passes by infant, backs away, teases infant, or voice quavers, cracks, stutters) Little physical contact between mother and infant unless infant demands Vacatingparental role Little sense of authority Little sustained collaboration of mother with baby's initiative Little parental direction/protection May seem subtly fearful, submissive, or placating with regard to infant (e.g., high frightened voice when greeting; hesitation, then compliance with infant's cues) May show little overt negative affect or intrusiveness; not ominous or threatening