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Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 3, No. 1, 11-24 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/1359104598031003

Bonding Failure: `I don't Know this Baby, She's Nothing to do with me'

Andy Sluckin

Bethel Child and Family Centre, Norwich

`Bonding failure' describes an extreme and persistent lack of emotional connection between a mother and her infant. Little is known about the prevalence, precipitants or nature of the interaction between `non-bonded' mothers and their babies. Two clinical examples of severe postnatal depression and `bonding failure' are presented. The therapeutic focus combines ideas from Video Interaction Guidance, Systems Theory and Art Therapy. A common theme is the power of the visual image to create a crucially important context for growth. The cases are discussed both with reference to the therapeutic `ingredients' that facilitated the development of maternal attachment as well as the struggle to find a balance between the need for individuality as a mother whilst living within a socially constructed world of motherhood.

Key Words: bonding failure • maternal attachment • postnatal depression • systemic therapy • video interaction guidance


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