The origins of selective mutism: some strategies in attachment and bonding research

There have been few substantive studies of the origins of selective mutism. The information about psychological origins derives mainly from single-case studies or information provided by parents of the selective mute subjects. Such studies have provided evidence of an excess of psychiatric disturbance in parents and also an excess of unusual parental personalities. However, as there is usually no direct information from the subjects about their life experiences not about their relationship with their parents, few conclusions can be drawn about interactive phenomena, about relationships and about life adversities.