2023
Self‐report measure of parental reflective functioning: A study of reliability and validity across three samples of varying clinical risk
Carlone C, Milan S, Decoste C, Borelli J, McMahon T, Suchman N. Self‐report measure of parental reflective functioning: A study of reliability and validity across three samples of varying clinical risk. Infant Mental Health Journal 2023, 44: 240-254. PMID: 36857469, DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22046.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClinical riskMajority of mothersSubstance use disordersParent Development InterviewParental reflective functioningParental Reflective Functioning QuestionnaireSample of mothersUse disordersFunctioning QuestionnaireInitial validation studyMental statesParent-report measuresMothersReflective functioningReflective Functioning QuestionnairePsychometric propertiesSelf-report measuresValidation studyParents' capacityRiskReliable measureAdditional supportParent-child relationship
2022
Reflective functioning in mothers with addictions: Differential relationships involving family history of mental illness and substance use
Lowell A, Yatziv T, Peacock-Chambers E, Zayde A, DeCoste C, Suchman N, McMahon T. Reflective functioning in mothers with addictions: Differential relationships involving family history of mental illness and substance use. Frontiers In Psychology 2022, 13: 911069. PMID: 36312152, PMCID: PMC9614557, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.911069.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMaternal mental illnessMaternal substance useFamily historyParental mental illnessMental illnessSubstance useOutpatient substance use treatmentPaternal mental illnessSubstance use treatmentIllnessReflective functioningUse treatmentMothersMother's capacityAddictionEarly experienceTraumaParent Development InterviewParental reflective functioningExposureUnivariate ANOVA
2019
Does Maternal Reflective Functioning Mediate Associations Between Representations of Caregiving With Maternal Sensitivity in a High-Risk Sample?
Alvarez-Monjarás M, McMahon TJ, Suchman NE. Does Maternal Reflective Functioning Mediate Associations Between Representations of Caregiving With Maternal Sensitivity in a High-Risk Sample? Psychoanalytic Psychology 2019, 36: 82-92. PMID: 30853749, PMCID: PMC6404967, DOI: 10.1037/pap0000166.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMaternal sensitivityReflective functioningMental representationsAttachment-based interventionsHigh-risk sampleSubstance-abusing mothersSubstance abuse disordersAttachment perspectivePositive parentingAdequate parentingDiverse sampleMediate associationsAbuse disordersBaseline measuresFunctioningParentingSecondary data analysisCaregivingSignificant relationshipAlternate explanationRepresentationMothersToddlersRelationshipChildren
2017
Does improvement in maternal attachment representations predict greater maternal sensitivity, child attachment security and lower rates of relapse to substance use? A second test of Mothering from the Inside Out treatment mechanisms
Suchman NE, DeCoste C, Borelli JL, McMahon TJ. Does improvement in maternal attachment representations predict greater maternal sensitivity, child attachment security and lower rates of relapse to substance use? A second test of Mothering from the Inside Out treatment mechanisms. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2017, 85: 21-30. PMID: 29291768, PMCID: PMC5753433, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2017.11.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMaternal reflective functioningMental representationsReflective functioningChild attachment securityChildren's attachment statusSubstance useGreater maternal sensitivityMaternal attachment representationsMechanisms of changeAttachment representationsAttachment securityCaregiving representationsParenting outcomesMaternal sensitivityTherapist fidelityAttachment statusTreatment componentsMaternal mentalizingTests of mechanismsIntervention developmentYoung childrenAddiction treatmentFuture researchTreatment mechanismsFunctioningMothering From the Inside Out: Results of a second randomized clinical trial testing a mentalization-based intervention for mothers in addiction treatment
Suchman NE, DeCoste CL, McMahon TJ, Dalton R, Mayes LC, Borelli J. Mothering From the Inside Out: Results of a second randomized clinical trial testing a mentalization-based intervention for mothers in addiction treatment. Development And Psychopathology 2017, 29: 617-636. PMID: 28401850, PMCID: PMC5407293, DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417000220.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSecond randomized clinical trialRandomized clinical trialsMother-child interaction qualityClinical trialsYoung childrenMaternal reflective functioningAddiction treatmentMentalization-based interventionsHistory of alcoholActive control comparisonsMonths of agePE mothersChronic substance usePE cohortParent educationSubstance misuseProtective factorsAddiction severityIndividual therapySubstance useReflective functioningPsychological deficitsDrug addictionMothersMother-child interaction
2016
Mothering from the Inside Out: results of a pilot study testing a mentalization-based therapy for mothers enrolled in mental health services
Suchman NE, Ordway MR, de las Heras L, McMahon TJ. Mothering from the Inside Out: results of a pilot study testing a mentalization-based therapy for mothers enrolled in mental health services. Attachment & Human Development 2016, 18: 596-617. PMID: 27575343, PMCID: PMC5102065, DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2016.1226371.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMother-child interaction qualityInteraction qualityCommunity-based mental health clinicsMental health servicesMaternal reflective functioningMentalization-based therapyCommunity-based cliniciansNegative affectEmotional regulationParenting interventionsMental health clinicsParenting stressReflective functioningPsychological distressMentalization-based approachCommunity mental health centerMental health centersInside OutSustained fidelityHealth servicesTreatment mechanismsPreliminary feasibilityParentsPrior testsCommunity-based settings