This study examined the degree to which specific properties of maternal touch may be associated
with a low birth weight infant’s security of attachment at one year of age, considering the potential
modifying effects of maternal sensitivity and history of touch as well as infant gender and biological
vulnerability. One hundred and thirty one socioculturally diverse infants and their mothers were
evaluated for medical complications during the neonatal period. Videotapes were made of the
infant-mother dyads during an infant feeding at three months of age. Each videotape was analyzed for
a mother’s properties of touch and her sensitivity as well as for infant responsiveness. When the infant
was six months old, each mother completed a questionnaire to determine felt security regarding her
own history of touch as a child. Researchers completed the Attachment Q-Set for each infant at one
year of age.