Predictors of attachment in early- and late-placed adoptees

Abstract

Although early experiences with primary caregivers have been recognised to play a significant role in individuals’ attachment relationships, little is known about adoptees’ attachment trajectories once placed within their respective adoptive families. This study aims to address this by investigating how attachment representations might be explained by early predictors including childhood attachment representations and other pertinent pre-placement variables. In early childhood, the Story Stem Assessment Profile (SSAP) is used to capture these representations, whilst in adolescence, an attachment-orientated interview (Friends and Family Interview; FFI) is employed. The sample here consisted of 35 early adoptees, placed before 12 months of age, and 35 maltreated, late-adoptees, placed between four and nine years old. Regression models were statistically significant for three out of four FFI constructs ( Security, Disorganisation, Coherence), though most of these effects were driven by IQ. When exploring the late adoptees alone, all regression models were significant in explaining variance in adolescent attachment, with SSAP Defensive Avoidance and Abuse as the strongest predictors. When examining the early adoptees alone, only two models were statistically significant, with most of these effects from IQ. These findings add to current knowledge on the role of childhood variables in predicting attachment and suggest potential areas to improve adoptees’ outcomes.