Abstract

The present contribution aims at answering to the issue of what can signs of infant disorganization, frequently observed in juridical context, reveal us about the dyad’s affective functioning and the caregiving environment. Specifically, attention will be focused on caregivers’ frightening/frightened behaviors (FR) and helpless/hostile mental state (H/H), which, although do not overlap with clear forms of abuse, maltreatment and severe neglect, are to be considered as signs of parental dysfunction and precursors of attachment disorganization.