Abstract
In recent years, the development of social and moral emotions (often associated to pro-social behaviors) has become the subject of increased research interest. However, the relation between these emotions and attachment is less studied. The present systematic literature review (PROSPERO: CRD42021247210) was designed to synthesize current empirical contributions that explore the link between attachment and the development of moral emotions (e.g., empathy, sympathy, altruism, and guilt) during childhood and adolescence. Article exclusion criteria included: studies with participants not living in natural contexts (e.g., institutionalized); studies on mental illness; qualitative research; research that does not reliably evaluate attachment or moral emotions; research on intervention programs; and non-peer-reviewed articles. Only 10 studies were found eligible. Results highlight a present focus on empathy and guilt and gaps regarding sympathy and altruism. The mediator role and positive effect of emotion regulation was noted. Significant positive correlations between attachment security and guilt, shame and forgiveness were emphasized. Limitations of the eligible studies included: representativeness of the participants; causality of the results; and the validity and significance of the instruments (e.g., lack of results reported by various parties involved). The present review aims to contribute to the understanding of an empathic, healthy development, in contrast to the alienation and bullying affecting the youth’s emotional, relational and academic lives.
Highlights
Secure base relations are fundamental for socioemotional development [1,2,3,4]
Similar results were found in adolescence, with attachment security being associated with greater empathy and greater vagal tone, the latter during maternal interactions [12]
This review follows the general guidelines presented in Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA, [45]) to analyze the relation between attachment and moral emotions (: empathy, sympathy, guilt and altruism)
Summary
Secure base relations are fundamental for socioemotional development [1,2,3,4]. Children who experience consistent and sensitive caregiving develop internal secure working models of the self and of relationships that will guide different aspects of social development, such as emotional regulation or social competence [5,6,7]. Sympathy is defined as a feeling of concern for others, which often, but not always, results from a shared emotional state or experience of distress It derives from the cognitive awareness of the state or condition of the other [21,22], directing the person’s attention to the consequences of his or her actions—to the given rights or well-being of the other—and is conceptually related to costlier altruistic forms of pro-social behavior [23]. It is plausible to presume that empathy plays an essential and critical role in close relationships by promoting mutual understanding and sensitivity [27,28] Positive social emotions, such as empathy, concern for others, compassion or sympathy, have behavioral and social implications by promoting helping or sharing behaviors and inhibiting aggressive actions, all of which can improve the quality of relationships [23,29,30,31]
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