Attachment Relationships Research Articles

Peer attachment in adolescence: What are the individual and relational associated factors?

AbstractThe quality of peer attachment in adolescence is an important determinant of psychosocial adjustment. To date, few clear conclusions can be drawn about the most important factors associated with the quality of peer attachment. This study aimed to identify the most important individual and relational factors associated with peer attachment quality, and to establish their relative contribution. Early adolescents (N = 634, 45.7% girls), 11.29 years on average at the first measurement time, participated in the longitudinal study. Individual and relational factors were measured at T1; parent and peer attachment quality were measured at T2, 2 years later. First, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed using the global score for peer attachment as the outcome variable. Second, a path model, including the three specific attachment dimensions (trust, communication, and alienation), was tested. The invariance of the models by sex was also examined. The analyses showed that peer attachment was associated positively with the adolescent–parent attachment relationship, the adolescent's age, as well as the teacher–student relationship, and associated negatively with the presence of internalizing behavior problems and social rejection. These variables helped explain 21.3% of the total variance. Give or take a few nuances, these same variables were also related to the three specific peer attachment dimensions. Sex differences were observed for the associated factors of these specific dimensions. This study highlights the importance of certain relational variables, in both family and school contexts, as correlates of peer attachment.

Exploring Links Between Social Competence, Immigrant Background, and Children’s Preschool Adjustment

ABSTRACT Research Findings: In the present study, we investigated the roles of children’s social competence and immigrant background in the prediction of the quality of children’s relationships with peers and teachers and school adjustment. Participants were N = 212 children (M age = 58.32 months, SD = 10.72; n = 98 with an immigrant background) and their teachers (two per class). One teacher in each class assessed children’s social competence and behavior problems, whereas the other rated the quality of their attachment relationships with the children and their adaptation to school. Social acceptance was assessed via peer sociometric nominations. Among the results, children with an immigrant background evidenced greater conflict and dependence in their relationships with teachers, poorer social acceptance, and less pleasure in school. Among children with an immigrant background, externalizing behaviors were associated with conflict in relationships with teachers, whereas internalizing behaviors were associated with dependence. Practice or Policy: The study highlights how social behaviors and immigrant background can affect the quality of attachment relationships with teachers in the preschool classroom.

Infant neural sensitivity to affective touch is associated with maternal postpartum depression.

Classic attachment theory emphasizes the sensitivity of the parent to perceive and appropriately respond to the infant's cues. However, parent-child attachment is a dyadic interaction that is also dependent upon the sensitivity of the child to the early caregiving environment. Individual differences in infant sensitivity to parental cues is likely shaped by both the early caregiving environment as well as the infant's neurobiology, such as perceptual sensitivity to social stimuli. Here, we investigated associations between maternal postpartum depression and infant neurological sensitivity to affective touch using brain signal entropy - a metric of the brain's moment-to-moment variability related to signal processing. We recruited two independent samples of infants aged 0-5 months. In Sample 1 (n=79), we found increased levels of maternal postpartum depression were associated with diminished perceptual sensitivity - i.e. lower entropy - to affective tactile stimulation specifically within the primary somatosensory cortex. In Sample 2 (n=36), we replicated this finding and showed that this effect was not related to characteristics of the touch administered during the experiment. These results suggest that decreased affective touch early in life - a common consequence of postpartum depression - likely impacts the infant's perceptual sensitivity to affective touch and ultimately the formation of experience-dependent neural networks that support the successful formation of attachment relationships.

The Self-Esteem of Dayak Ethnic Adolescents Reviewed from the Attachment Relationship of Parents

Self-esteem is an assessment of oneself in terms of positive and negative things. Self-esteem can also be influenced by attachment with parents, namely mother and father. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a significant relationship between parental attachment, namely mothers and fathers with late adolescents. This study uses quantitative methods with scales as the measuring instrument used. The first scale is the Armsden and Greenberg Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment with an α value = 0.898 on maternal attachment and an α value = 0.931 on paternal attachment. The second scale is the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES) with a value of α = 0.795. The results of this study indicate that there is a significant relationship between maternal attachment and late adolescent self-esteem, namely p = 0.000 (p < 0.05) with a correlation value (r) of 0.322 and also on paternal attachment with late adolescent self-esteem, namely p = 0.000 (p < 0.05) with a correlation value (r) of 0.380. The relationship between these variables has positive results, meaning that the higher the attachment with parents, the higher the self-esteem in late adolescents. The implication of this study can be used as a reference in changing the output of parenting in parents, especially father role attachment on self-esteem of late adolescents.Harga diri merupakan penilaian pada diri sendiri terkait hal positif maupun negatif. Harga diri juga dapat dipengaruhi oleh kelekatan dengan orangtua yaitu ibu dan ayah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk untuk mengetahui apakah terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara kelekatan orangtua yaitu ibu dan ayah dengan remaja akhir. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan skala sebagai alat ukur yang digunakan. Skala pertama adalah Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment Armsden dan Greenberg dengan nilai α = 0,898 pada kelekatan ibu dan nilai α = 0,931 pada kelekatan ayah. Skala kedua adalah Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES) dengan nilai α = 0,795. Hasil pada penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat hubungan signifikan antara kelekatan ibu dengan harga diri remaja akhir yaitu p = 0,000 (p < 0,05) dengan nilai korelasi (r) sebesar 0,322 dan juga pada kelekatan ayah dengan harga diri remaja akhir yakni p = 0,000 (p < 0,05) dengan nilai korelasi (r) sebesar 0,380. Hubungan antar variabel ini memiliki hasil yang positif, artinya semakin tinggi kelekatan dengan orangtua maka semakin tinggi pula harga diri pada remaja akhir. Implikasi dari penelitian ini dapat digunakan sebagai referensi dalam mengubah output dari parenting pada orang tua khususnya kelekatan peran ayah pada harga diri remaja akhir.

Self-esteem in Fatherless Adolescent is reviewed by Parental Attachment and Peer Relationship

The family is the smallest social unit in society that includes a father, mother, and children who are characterized by living together. However, not all families live with fathers due to the loss of fathers (death), divorced parents, this is called fatherless. This study was conducted to determine the effect of parental attachment and peer relationships on self-esteem in fatherless adolescents in Karawang Regency. The population studied was fatherless adolescents aged 12-21 years who live in Karawang Regency. Therefore, the sampling technique used was non-probability sampling through snowball sampling technique, the number of respondents in this study were 193 respondents. The measuring instruments used were the IPPA (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment) scale, CA-PRS (Children Adolescent Peer Relationship Scale) and RSES (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale). The methods applied are normality test, linearity test, and multiple regression analysis. The results showed a significance value of 0.001 <0.05, which means that there is an influence of parental attachment and peer relationships on self-esteem in fatherless adolescents in Karawang Regency. The test results of the coefficient of determination with R Square 0.075. Therefore, the amount of influence of parental attachment and peer relationship together on self-esteem is 7,5%.Keluarga dianggap sebagai unit sosial terkecil dalam lingkungan masyarakat yang mencakup ayah, ibu, serta anak yang memiliki ciri khas seperti tinggal bersama. Namun, tidak semua keluarga tinggal bersama ayah yang disebabkan kehilangan ayah (meninggal), orang tua bercerai hal ini disebut dengan fatherless. Penelitian ini dilakukan guna mengetahui pengaruh kelekatan orang tua dan peer relationship terhadap self-esteem pada remaja fatherless di Kabupaten Karawang. Populasi yang diteliti yaitu remaja fatherless yang berumur 12-21 tahun yang berdomisili di Kabupaten Karawang. Oleh karena itu, teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan yaitu non-probability sampling melalui teknik sampel snowball sampling, jumlah responden dalam penelitian ini adalah 193 responden. Alat ukur yang digunakan skala IPPA (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment), CA-PRS (Children Adolescent Peer Relationship Scale) dan RSES (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale). Metode yang diterapkan yaitu uji normalitas, uji linearitas, serta analisis regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan nilai signifikansi yaitu 0,001 < 0,05 yang berarti ada pengaruh kelekatan orang tua dan peer relationship terhadap self-esteem pada remaja fatherless di Kabupaten Karawang. Hasil uji koefisien determinasi dengan R Square 0,075. Oleh karena itu, besaran pengaruh kelekatan orang tua dan peer relationship secara bersama-sama terhadap self-esteem yaitu sebesar 7,5%.

Anatomical Relationships of the Proximal Attachment of the Hamstring Muscles with Neighboring Structures: From Ultrasound, Anatomical and Histological Findings to Clinical Implications.

Injuries of the proximal attachment of the hamstring muscles are common. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of the proximal attachment of the hamstring muscles with neighboring structures comprehensively. A total of 97 hemipelvis from 66 cryopreserved specimens were evaluated via ultrasound, anatomical and histological samples. The proximal attachment of the hamstring muscles presents a hyperechogenic line surrounding the origin of the semimembranosus and the long head of the biceps femoris muscles, as well as another hyperechogenic line covering the sciatic nerve. The anatomical and histological study confirms the ultrasound results and shows different layers forming the sacrotuberous ligament. Furthermore, it shows that the proximal attachment of the semimembranosus muscle has a more proximal origin than the rest of the hamstring muscles. Moreover, this muscle shares fibers with the long head of the biceps femoris muscle and expands to the adductor magnus muscle. The histological analysis also shows the dense connective tissue of the retinaculum covering the long head of the biceps femoris and semimembranosus muscles, as well as the expansion covering the sciatic nerve. These anatomical relationships could explain injuries at the origin of the hamstring muscles.

Post-Disaster Social Connectedness in Parent–Child Dyads: A Qualitative Investigation of Changes in Coping and Social Capital of Rural Australian Families Following Bushfires

Abstract The increasing frequency of natural disasters, such as bushfires, pose significant challenges for countries like Australia. This research investigates the changes in social connectedness following a bushfire disaster in 2019 in the rural community of Cudlee Creek, South Australia, Australia. Research has repeatedly highlighted the importance of social connectedness, social capital and secure attachment relationships in mitigating post-disaster mental health concerns. This study utilised semi-structured interviews with eight parent–child dyads twenty months post-disaster to understand changes in parent–child relationships, the quality of extended family ties and the role of the broader community in recovery and coping. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed three themes: (i) differences in children and parents in preferred forms of social support; (ii) a thinning of previously available support and (iii) altered patterns of communication in the parent–child relationships. The findings highlight the complex interactions of multi-systemic and intersectional disadvantages on social isolation and loss of social capital following disasters. The results also highlight the influence of stoic beliefs on patterns of miscommunication in parent–child dyads in rural contexts. Implications for the implementation of community-wide post-disaster supports, sociometric approaches to mental health screening and assessment, and targeted interventions for rural families.

Attachment style and relationship satisfaction among early adults

Attachment style and relationship satisfaction among early adults

Classification et représentations d'attachement et comportements intériorisés et extériorisés des enfants de la protection de l'enfance

IntroductionChildren who have experienced potentially traumatic situations within their first attachment relationships (e.g., abuse, neglect) are more at risk of presenting attachment insecurity and disorganization as well as insecure attachment representations. These children would also be more at risk of developing internalized (e.g., anxiety, depression) and externalized behaviors (e.g., aggressivity, opposition). ObjectivesThe study aims to provide a portrait of attachment classification and representations and internalized and externalized behaviors in children aged 7 to 12 from three groups: 35 maltreated children, 42 children from a clinical group, and 39 children from a normative group. The study also aims to evaluate associations between attachment and internalized and externalized behaviors and to detect predictors of internalized and externalized behaviors amongst attachment-related variables. MethodParticipants took part in The Attachment Story Completion Task (ASCT) and a semi-structured interview, the Child Attachment Interview (CAI). Caregivers completed the Child behaviour Checklist to assess internalized and externalized behaviors. ResultsResults show lower levels of attachment security as well as higher levels of insecure attachment representations and internalized and externalized behaviors in maltreated children. Only disorganized attachment was found to be associated with internalized and externalized behaviors. The ASCT could not differentiate the groups and showed little association with internalized and externalized behaviors. ConclusionDisorganized attachment is mainly associated with maltreatment and internalized and externalized behaviors, contrary to ASCT variables, thus generating questions regarding this tool's suitability for school-aged children.

Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Transgender Adolescent with Suicidal Thoughts: A Case Study

Aim: The aim of present study was the application of the Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) for a transgender adolescent with suicidal thoughts. Methods: Multiple baseline experimental single case study was used as the method of the present study. The population sample is a transgender adolescent (female to male) and his/her parent chosen according to the purposive sampling method. The adolescent completed The Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS) over the course of the sessions. ABFT was implemented in twenty-seven 90 minute-sessions. Furthermore, visual inspection is applied to analyze and interpret data. Results: The results of this qualitative and step-by-step investigation of the attachment-based family therapy showed that this therapy was effective in significantly reducing the suicidal thoughts in the transgender adolescent. Conclusion: Effective intervention with transgender adolescents and their families can foster a secure attachment relationship. Family therapists may employ attachment-based family therapy to address suicidal tendencies among transgender individuals. This approach also supports families in navigating the transformative journey of their transgender child.

Parental warmth attenuates the impact of low and moderate levels of violence exposure on trauma symptoms among women with substance use disorders

Women with substance use disorders (SUD) have high rates of violence exposure and are at greater risk for developing post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) than women without SUD. However, there is limited research on the factors that protect against the development of PTSS in response to violence exposure among women with SUD. Positive early attachment relationships may be one factor that protects against the development of PTSS in adulthood. We examined the bonding experience of parental warmth during childhood as a potential moderator in the relationship between violence exposure and PTSS in adulthood. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and assessing moderation using the SPSS PROCESS macro, we examined whether parental warmth moderated the impact of violence exposure on PTSS among women with SUD. Greater violence exposure was associated with higher levels of PTSS, while higher levels of parental warmth were associated with lower levels of PTSS. Parental warmth attenuated the effects of violence exposure on PTSS at low and moderate levels of violence exposure, but not at high levels of violence exposure. High violence exposure may overwhelm the potential for positive relational experiences to buffer against the development of PTSS. Results from this study suggest the importance of early intervention and support for early caregiving relationships as part of the prevention of mental health disorders across the life course.

The impact of peer attachment relationships on behavioral problems in adolescents

The impact of peer attachment relationships on behavioral problems in adolescents

Attachment theory across cultures: An examination of cross-cultural perspectives and alloparenting practices (Mini-Review)

Attachment theory initially put forth by Bowlby is a basis for comprehending the emergence and importance of emotional bonds between infants and their caretakers. However, contemporary studies have increasingly highlighted the necessity for accounting for cultural contexts in attachment dynamics. This paper aims at investigating all aspects of attachment theory using a cross-cultural perspective to find out how cultural norms and customs influence relationships of attachment. In particular, it is based on an explanation of the concept of alloparenting which implies that caregiving duties are distributed among more than one member in a community. The author compares Western and non-Western child-rearing practices including examples from such societies as Aka foragers located in Africa or Beng people in West Africa among others thereby revealing the wide range of different kinds of relationships formed as attachments by humans. Furthermore, it also probes how this affects child development, family structures, and societal values regarding culture-specific ways that children attach to primary caregivers through understanding themselves as culturally specific and thus not universal. By synthesizing experiential research and speculative platforms, this paper enhances our comprehension of attachment theory in terms of cultural diversity, stressing the significance of including cultural viewpoints in developmental psychology research as well as its everyday use.

Parent-Mediated Behavioural Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit deficits in social interaction and communication, show repetitive behaviours, and have restricted interests. They are at high risk of developing challenging behaviours, which can hinder social relationships, academic achievement, language skills, overall adaptive development, and also increase the risk of abuse in educational settings. This scoping review addresses the limited focus on parent-mediated behavioural intervention (PMBI) for managing challenging behaviours in children with ASD. Using the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework, we retrieved articles published between 2011 and 2022 from SCOPUS, ERIC, and SAGE Publications. Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Five themes emerged from the review regarding parents adopting PMBI: (1) performing functional behaviour analysis and developing behaviour intervention plans; (2) applying modification strategies and techniques of antecedent, behaviours and consequence; (3) establishing parent-child secure attachment relationship with child’s lead, positive and natural reinforcement; (4) decreasing child’s challenging behaviours; (5) improving child’s compliance, social responsiveness, and prosocial behaviours. The findings highlight parents as primary intervention agent, emphasising the importance of parental involvement in supporting their child’s development. This review suggests developing cost-effective parent education training programmes to support PMBI as part of comprehensive interventions for children with ASD.

Meaningfulness and attachment: what dreams, psychosis and psychedelic states tell us about our need for connection.

The human need to find meaning in life and the human need for connection may be two sides of the same coin, a coin forged in the developmental crucible of attachment. Our need for meaningfulness can be traced to our developmental need for connection in the attachment relationship. The free energy principle dictates that in order to resist a natural tendency towards disorder self-organizing systems must generate models that predict the hidden causes of phenomenal experience. In other words, they must make sense of things. In both an evolutionary and ontogenetic sense, the narrative self develops as a model that makes sense of experience. However, the self-model skews the interpretation of experience towards that which is predictable, or already "known." One may say it causes us to "take things personally." Meaning is felt more acutely when defenses are compromised, when the narrative self is offline. This enables meaning-making that is less egocentrically motivated. Dreams, psychosis, and psychedelic states offer glimpses of how we make sense of things absent a coherent narrative self. This has implications for the way we understand such states, and lays bare the powerful reach of attachment in shaping what we experience as meaningful.

Attachment Patterns and their Relationship with Relationship Crisis Management during the Engagement Period in Jordan

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between attachment patterns and the management of relationship crisis between partners during the engagement period in Jordan. Methods: The study employed a descriptive correlational approach. Two scales were used: the Attachment Patterns Scale and the Relationship Crisis Management Scale. The study sample consisted of a convenient sample of 412 engaged individuals in Jordan. Results: The results revealed that the most prevalent attachment pattern among engaged individuals during the engagement period was the secure attachment pattern, with a percentage of 92.7%. The avoidant attachment pattern followed at a percentage of 3.9%, while the least common pattern was the anxious attachment pattern at 3.4%. Furthermore, the results also showed a high level of relationship crisis management among engaged individuals during the engagement period. A positive linear relationship was found between secure attachment style and relationship crisis management, while an inverse relationship was observed between anxious and avoidant attachment patterns and relationship crisis management between partners. Conclusions: The results underscore the importance of considering attachment patterns and relationship crisis management during the engagement period in Jordan and reflect the need for developing educational and therapeutic plans to comprehend attachment patterns and their role in influencing crisis management processes, to arrive at effective solutions for facing and managing crises.

Pet attachment and prosocial attitude toward humans: the mediating role of empathy to animals.

Attachment relationships are widely recognized as influential in increasing prosocial tendencies, with existing literature indicating that human attachment can increase empathetic processes, thereby potentially facilitating prosocial behavior. Given that pets frequently fulfill the criteria for attachment figures, this study investigates whether the observed associations among human attachment, empathy, and prosocial attitudes extend to human-animal interactions (HAI). This study examines the relationship between pet attachment, animal empathy, and prosocial attitudes toward humans. The study hypothesizes that animal empathy mediates the association between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 343 Filipino participants, predominantly consisting of single female young adults with college education backgrounds. Participants completed a battery of assessments including the Contemporary Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CCABS), the Animal Empathy Scale (AES), and the Prosocialness Scale for Adults (PSA). Aligned with our hypothesis, our study reveals that animal empathy plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between pet attachment and attitudes toward humans. We found that stronger pet attachment correlates positively with heightened animal empathy, subsequently leading to elevated levels of prosocial attitudes. Our findings prompt discussions on implications for understanding human-animal relationships and suggest avenues for future research exploration.

Variables associated with the secure attachment relationship with the teacher in adolescent students:

This document is a systematic review protocol that aims to investigate the variables associated with adolescent students' secure attachment relationship with teachers. The existing systematic review on this topic found that children with a secure attachment relationship with teachers have better academic and socio-emotional indices. However, there are currently no similar reviews for adolescents. Inclusion criteria for articles include: published in peer-reviewed journals in Portuguese, English, or Spanish; from 1969 to present; a sample of adolescents (10 to 19 years old); and results related to attachment with teachers. Furthermore, studies must be empirical, have Attachment Theory as a theoretical basis, and gathered from the following databases: ERIC (EBSCO), MEDLINE (EBSCO), PsycINFO (Ovid), Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo, Redalyc. The JBI Critical Appraisal checklists will be used to verify the risk of bias as well as the quality of the studies. It intends to present the outcomes through narrative descriptions and, if possible, meta-analytical statistics.

Attachment theory: survival, trauma, and war through the eyes of Bowlby.

Children are no strangers to war and conflict, and for as long as history has been documented, so too has the negativeimpact of war on children. Attachment theory, which has shone a light upon the ways in which early life experiences can impact individuals across the lifespan, is a helpful lens through which we can view the consequences of war. Similar to the aftermath of war leading to lifelong and transgenerational suffering due to deaths and physical health issues, attachment difficulties created during war further compound long-term damage. Yet, despite our theoretical understanding of the detrimental impact of war on children and on humankind, humanity has failed to find ways to avert, or at least minimise, this unfortunate risk. Instead in this century, we see a growing number of conflicts globally with increasing asylum seekers. In this editorial, we argue that the large-scale disruption to attachment relationships caused by conflict and war is an important consideration for global policy, and that the healthcare community must show leadership in highlighting this serious impact of war.

Exploring the Relationship between Persons with Hearing Loss/Deafness and Their Hearing Dogs.

The reported positive outcomes of animal-assisted services have led to an emerging interest in many different aspects of human-animal interactions. The influence of an assistance animal is thought to encompass several psychosocial domains in the life of a person with a significant health impairment. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the relationship between Hearing Dogs and their owners. A prospective study design using a written questionnaire method was utilized to survey 58 current and 23 prospective Australian Lions Hearing Dogs owners. The Pet Expectations Inventory (PEI) was used to investigate the anticipated role of Hearing Dogs in waitlisted persons with hearing loss/Deafness, whereas the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) was completed by current owners to assess emotional attachment. The results revealed a high mean PEI score (M = 73.1, SD = 10.9, Mdn = 73.0, range: 55-91), with prospective owners strongly expecting the role of Hearing Dogs to include companionship/love and security. Furthermore, strong attachment features were evident in the owners' relationships with Hearing Dogs, as demonstrated by a high total LAPS score (M = 81.2, SD = 7.5, range: 63-91). Mean scores for statements within the "people substitution" category were highest (range = 3.6/4.00-3.9/4.00). In this demographically homogenous study cohort, it appeared that the high expectations of potential Hearing Dog owners for their animals to serve supportive roles beyond hearing assistance should be achievable, as evidenced by the strong attachment relationships displayed between Hearing Dogs and their owners.