Attachment Relationships Research Articles

People and place attachment: Exploring compliance in neighborhood health centers

This article explores the roles of place attachment and social relationships in encouraging clients of a health center to comply with their health providers’ directives. We draw on place attachment theory to explore the extent to which emotional bonds between clients and the center promote compliance. Next, we draw on place social bonding to explore whether clients’ experiences derived from interactions at the center encourage compliance. Based on data obtained from center clients, we conclude that place attachment and social bonding drive compliance. From a practical perspective, providers and clients must engage in social interaction to promote compliance and engender place attachment.

Exploring the triadic parent–child–sibling relationship: How do mothers’ view of their children impact sibling relationships?

The functioning of the sibling subsystem is often overlooked in research on attachment relationships, despite its both threatening and protective potential. Taking a multi-case approach, this study sought to build theory regarding how the mother–child relationship and the mother’s view of each of her children impact the sibling relationship. Three families were assessed using the Meaning of the Child Interview, a method of analysing parental discourse in a semi-structured interview to understand the parent–child relationship, and a sibling free-play procedure. The study illustrated how in more struggling relationships, the child represented a particular threat or challenge to the mother, and how the child’s accommodation to this influenced the dynamics of the sibling relationship. The sibling may be recruited to care for their sibling to ease demands on their mother, serve as an ally with their mother against their sibling, or siblings may support each other to compensate for what is lacking in the child–parent relationship. This was further influenced by wider systemic challenges to both children and mother, such as parental conflict or settling in a new country.

Surfing with the Spirit or sinking into the sea?

This essay focuses on that dimension of sharing in the missio dei individually and corporately which involves the formation of Christian character. In particular what should be our first considerations when seeking character formation for participation in the missio dei? This article will suggest that our attention initially should be focused elsewhere than behaviour or direct attempts to change character. Further, while Aristotelian approaches are particularly popular in the contemporary (especially secular) literature, this essay considers the significance of dimensions of Christian character formation which are often underplayed by such approaches, not least loving attachment relationship to the divine and accountability-in-community. While space precludes an exhaustive account of influences on Christian character development, the essay considers aspects of experiencing Christ-centered community in shaping Christian character, utilising recent insights from the field of neuroscience. It concludes with an example taken from an Anglo-catholic setting of how eucharistic worship can contribute to the formation of Christian character and thus of sharing in the missio dei.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTACHMENT, RELATIONSHIP QUALITY, AND DAILY STRESS AMONG DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS

Abstract The current study assesses the relationship between attachment style, relationship quality, and daily stress among family caregivers of persons with dementia. The study incorporates a longitudinal burst design. In an initial meeting with the investigator, participants completed measures of attachment style (Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire Revised), past and current relationship quality (RQ), emotion regulation (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), and caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview). For the next 14 days, participants were sent a link to a brief survey that included the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule and the Perceived Stress Scale. They were also asked to estimate what proportion of their daily stress did they attribute to caregiving. There are significant positive correlations between caregiver burden and current negative RQ, r = 0.70, p = .008, as well as between attachment anxiety and current negative RQ, r = 0.60, p = .029. According to regression analyses, attachment anxiety predicts negative current RQ, R2 = .37, F(1, 11) = 6.32, p = .029. Current negative RQ predicts caregiver burden, R2 = .49, F(1, 11) = 10.55, p = .008. Additional analyses will explore the link between attachment style, emotion regulation, burden, relationship quality, and longitudinal assessments of daily stress and affect. Though preliminary, study results suggest that beyond caregiver burden, daily stress and well-being of caregivers is impacted by the relationship between attachment, relationship quality, and emotion regulation.

Evaluation of a Trauma-Informed Parenting Program for Resource Parents.

Child maltreatment impacts many young people involved in the child welfare system, and it is important that the resource parents supporting these youth have knowledge and skills in trauma-informed care. The current study is a preliminary evaluation of the Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC), an in-service, 8-module, group-based parenting program developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Youth and caregiver outcomes were examined by way of a quasi-experimental design that included 22 resource parents in the experimental group and 21 in the waitlist control group and involved baseline, post-program, and 2-month follow-up assessments. For learning outcomes, RPC resulted in improvements in resource parents' knowledge and beliefs about trauma-informed parenting. While not statistically significant, potential effects included improvements in resource parents' tolerance of challenging youth behaviors and parenting self-efficacy. For behavioral outcomes, several non-significant potential effects were noted, including improvements in resource parents' attachment relationships with their youth and increased social supports. This study was the first to evaluate RPC using a quasi-experimental design within a Canadian context and through a virtual delivery. Findings highlighted several benefits of the program and resource parents' ongoing training needs.

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) Symptomatology in a High-Risk Clinical Sample.

Attachment relationships are broadly considered foundational to child development as such attachment disorders, reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED), pose a severe threat to children's safety and developmental trajectory. This study examined the prevalence of full diagnosis and symptoms of RAD and DSED in a high-risk sample of adopted children (n = 98; mean age: 46.26 months; range: 16.09 months-6.51 years). Consistent with existing literature, a full diagnosis of RAD and DSED was rare, 1% (n = 1) and 8.1% (n = 8), respectively. However, over half of the sample presented with at least one clinically concerning symptom of RAD or DSED. Given the nature of attachment disorders and the level of concern associated with symptoms, these findings emphasize the need for effective mental health screening, sensitivity beyond just a full diagnosis, and early interventions for adopted children.

Insecure attachment and lower preference for romantic relationship nostalgia predict higher acceptance of infidelity

Recent research on relationship nostalgia, a sentimental longing for the past of one's romantic relationship, has shown to improve commitment, which should protect against infidelity intentions. However, previous research has shown that more insecurely attached persons do not reap the same benefits from the emotion of nostalgia. The current work introduced the concept of relationship nostalgia preference (i.e., the extent to which people would like displays of nostalgia from their romantic partners [e.g., feeling safe and secure like in earlier parts of the relationship]). In Study 1, nostalgia preference's associations with attachment style and relationship quality (satisfaction, etc.) were tested, revealing negative correlations with attachment avoidance and positive correlations with relationship quality. In Study 2, a conditional process model exhibited how avoidant attachment predicted lower nostalgia preference (replicating Study 1), which was related to reduced commitment. Commitment reduction, in turn, predicted higher attitudes toward infidelity and intentions to commit infidelity. Overall, when people are more avoidantly attached, they like relationship nostalgia less, which has downstream negative consequences for their partnerships.

Testing an attachment- and trauma-informed intervention approach for parents and young children after interparental violence: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundInterparental violence has persistent adverse effects on victimized parents and children. Young children, including infants and toddlers, are at particular risk to develop long-lasting negative outcomes, and yet specific evidence on effective intervention approaches for this vulnerable group is still lacking. This study will test the effectiveness of an attachment- and trauma-informed intervention approach in a sample of parent-child dyads who have experienced severe interparental violence. We test the individual and combined effects of two interventions: (1) “Nederlandse Interventie Kortdurend op Atypisch oudergedrag” (NIKA; Dutch, short-term intervention focused on atypical parenting behavior) aimed at improving the attachment relationship and (2) eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy aimed at reducing parental post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.MethodsThis study uses a multicenter randomized controlled design across multiple domestic violence shelters in the Netherlands. We aim to recruit 150 parent-child dyads with children aged between 0.5 and 6 years old. The study design consists of two phases. During the first phase for testing the effect of NIKA only, eligible dyads are randomly allocated to either NIKA or a waitlist usual care group. A pre-test is conducted prior to the treatment period and a post-test takes place directly afterwards (6 weeks after the pre-test). Phase 2 follows directly for testing the effects of EMDR and the combination of NIKA and EMDR. Parents who report clinical PTSD symptoms are randomly allocated to either EMDR therapy or a waitlist usual care group. Parents who do not report clinical PTSD symptoms only receive care as usual. Six weeks later, a post-test of phase 2 is conducted for all participating dyads. Primary study outcomes are disrupted parenting behavior, sensitive parenting behavior, and parental PTSD symptoms. Secondary study outcomes include PTSD symptoms and behavioral and emotional problems of the child.DiscussionThis study will inform and enhance the clinical field by providing new insights regarding effective treatment combinations for traumatized parents and their young children after interparental violence.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register (NTR) NL9179. Registered 7 January 2021

Is it really that important to you? How the topics of conflict and emotional reactions to conflicts explain the associations between attachment insecurities and relationship satisfaction.

This study sought to examine the intermediary roles of different topics of conflict and negative emotions following conflicts in the associations between attachment insecurities and relationship satisfaction in a sample of 253 mixed-gender couples from the community. Results from path analyses based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model showed that attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were associated with the perception, in both partners, of experiencing more conflicts in the relationship. In turn, the more participants perceived conflicts related to major issues and daily annoyances, the more they reported negative emotions following conflicts and lower relationship satisfaction. Participants' report of conflicts related to major issues was also related to their partner's lower relationship satisfaction. Findings highlight the significance of accounting for the topics on which couples argue and of using an attachment-based framework to help couples deal with the negative emotions that they experience following conflicts.

‘So the child feels loved’: Mothers with learning disabilities experience of attachment and emotional relationships with their children

BackgroundMothers with learning disabilities are at higher risk of child removal and mental health difficulties and may face more barriers developing attachment relationships with their children. Mothers with learning disabilities’ voices are underrepresented in research and little is known about those who are actively parenting children. This study aimed to explore mothers’ perceptions of developing emotional relationships with their children. Methods: Mothers who were actively parenting were recruited via advocacy groups across the UK. Semi-structured interviews with 10 mothers who self-identified as learning-disabled were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Findings: Three key themes were generated: (1) Understanding and Facilitating Attachment Relationships, (2) Barriers to the Attachment Relationship and (3) Bi-directional Nature of Relationships: Mother Needs Child, Child Needs Mother. Overarching experiences of powerlessness, autonomy and resilience were prominent across mothers’ experiences. Conclusions: Mothers reported the importance of close emotional relationships with their children. Subthemes mirrored attachment theory behaviours, including reciprocity and proximity seeking. Mother-child relationships faced varying challenges including separation and conflict between the mother and child’s-needs. Findings indicate the need to support mothers through a trauma-informed attachment perspective, especially in the context of maternal mental health and child additional needs.

The Relationship of Temperament and Character, Parental Stress, and Mental Health Problems with Attachment Disorders among Children

According to Cloninger's model, personality is conceptualized in temperament and character traits contributing to a child's psychosocial development. Additionally, parent-child interaction is important for the child's socio-emotional development. To date, the relationship between attachment and temperament and character for child mental health development and its effects on parents remains mostly unclear. The aim of the present study was thus to examine the relationship of attachment, temperament and character, parental stress, and mental health problems among 125 children (mean age = 7.14 years) in Switzerland. Temperament and character, attachment disorder (symptoms), parental stress, and mental health problems were assessed with psychometric questionnaires; attachment was assessed with an additional observational measure. Descriptive characters of the sample were presented, and group differences and correlations were computed. For temperament traits, results revealed significant group differences for novelty seeking and persistence and attachment disorder types. For character traits, the findings showed significant group differences for self-directedness and cooperativeness and attachment disorder types. Moderate effect sizes for groups differences were found. Further, the mixed-type (inhibited and disinhibited) and inhibited attachment disorder type were the most burdened groups. The present findings suggest that temperament and character traits, as well as parental stress and mental health problems are associated with the occurrence of attachment disorders among children. Future longitudinal studies with larger samples are needed to examine the causal relationships of temperament and character with attachment, including person-related and environmental factors among children.

Exploring the Relationship Between Compassion and Attachment in Individuals with Mental Health Difficulties: A Systematic Review

The objective of the review was to explore the relevance of the relationship of compassion and attachment to mental health. APAPsycInfo, APAPsycArticles, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Social Science Database, Sociology Database, PTSDpubs, Pubmed, and Web of Science were searched from their inception until November 9, 2021. Peer-reviewed empirical studies exploring the compassion–attachment relationship in individuals with mental health difficulties through outcome measures were included. Studies were excluded if non-empirical, with non-clinical/subclinical samples, in a language other than English and if they did not consider the compassion–attachment relationship. Risk of bias was assessed through The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the Downs and Black Checklist. Seven eligible studies comprising 4839 participants were identified, with low to moderate risk of overall bias. Findings indicated a more straightforward relationship between self-compassion and secure attachment and confirmed the relevance of compassion and attachment to psychological functioning. Limitations concerned study design, the use of self-report measures, and low generalisability. While suggesting mechanisms underpinning compassion and attachment, the review corroborates the role of secure attachment and self-compassion as therapeutic targets against mental health difficulties. This study is registered on PROSPERO number CRD42021296279.

Coping Together or Separate: Attachment and Dyadic Coping as Mediators Linking Childhood Maltreatment to Intimate Relationship Quality

Childhood maltreatment is associated with poorer quality relationships and attachment theory has proffered an influential framework. The role of dyadic coping remains unclear and may play an integral role linking attachment insecurity and relationship quality among adults who experienced maltreatment. Using a sample of 177 adults (56.6% racial minority) were recruited from a southern university a serial mediational model was examined using structural equation modeling. Childhood maltreatment was linked with relationship quality through greater attachment avoidance and lower levels dyadic coping. Focusing on dyadic coping among avoidantly attached individuals from a trauma-informed perspective may be a point of clinical intervention.

Counselor Preparation Using the Revised Trauma Egg and Resiliency Intervention

ABSTRACT Many counselors have their own history of trauma which can impact the counselor’s ability to provide competent counseling and increases risk for vicarious traumatization if not properly managed. Consequently, counselor educators and clinical supervisors must address this aspect of professional development by preparing counselors-in-training for secondary trauma exposure and potential triggers that can occur while providing mental health services. The Trauma Egg is an intervention created by Marilyn Murray which serves as both a clinical and educational tool with the intended goal of promoting personal reflection and providing a symbolic visualization of one’s own trauma history and early attachment relationships. This article proposes an updated version, the Revised Trauma Egg and Resiliency Intervention, which adds an additional integration of resiliency resources. When applied with counseling students and supervisees, the Revised Trauma Egg and Resiliency Intervention aims to increase trauma-work preparedness, improve the management of potential trauma triggers, and address countertransference issues.

The Environment as an Object Relationship: A Two-Part Study

This two-part qualitative study posits object relationships, the internalized relationships that organize the psyche, as a template for the human relationship to ecosystems. During part one, 14 researchers completed a 5-min free-write that explored how they felt about familiar ecosystems. Results showed that personal ecosystems played similar roles to familial relationships or close friendships. Furthermore, most respondents perceived potential losses of such places as “devastating.” Based on the researchers' narratives, a second part with a larger sample size was developed. One hundred sixty-five participants were similarly surveyed about how they connected with the environment. Results of the second part corroborated part one's conclusion that people relate to the environment similarly to how they relate to people with whom they have meaningful attachment relationships. Taken together, both studies suggest that ecosystems, particularly those experienced as children, function as object relationships. When society does not signify the importance of the ecosystem object relationship, humans have diminished capacity to protect this relationship on behalf of their well-being.

Destructive interparental conflict affects Chinese children's emotional and behavioral problems: Indirect pathways via parent-child attachment and emotional insecurity.

Previous studies have demonstrated that destructive interparental conflict (IPC) is closely related to the emergence of emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. In addition, in the family system, such conflict also affects the patent-child attachment relationship and emotional insecurity of adolescents. This study mainly explores the relationship between destructive interparental conflict and adolescents' emotional and behavioral problems, focuses on the role of parent-child attachment and emotional insecurity, and analyzes whether this relationality plays multiple mediating roles in the influence of destructive interparental conflict on emotional and behavioral problems. Data for the study were obtained through a questionnaire survey conducted on 524 Chinese adolescents from primary and junior high school. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test direct and indirect pathways between destructive interparental conflict and Chinese adolescents' emotional and behavioral problems. Destructive IPC negatively predicted parent-child attachment and parent-child attachment negatively predicted emotional and behavioral problems. Destructive Interparental conflict positively predicted emotional insecurity and emotional insecurity positively predicted emotional and behavioral problems. The results show that: (1) Parent-child attachment negatively predicted emotional and behavioral problems, and emotional insecurity positively predicted the same. (2) Parent-child attachment and emotional insecurity act in a multiple mediating role between destructive IPC and adolescents' emotional and behavioral problems. (3) Parent-child attachment and emotional insecurity constitute two indirect pathways between destructive IPC and adolescents' emotional and behavioral problems, respectively. Destructive IPC can adversely affect emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents; destructive IPC plays a damaging role in their emotional security and parent-child attachment, consequently effecting emotional and behavioral problems.

Longitudinal Analysis of Adolescent Adjustment: The Role of Attachment and Emotional Competence.

Emotional competencies as well as secure attachment relationships with peers are protective factors that facilitate psychological adjustment among adolescents. In this study, we will analyse how these socio-emotional factors influence adolescents' emotional symptoms, conduct problems and peer problems. The participants were 815 Spanish adolescents aged 12-17 years (M = 13.69; SD = 1.21) who completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Parent and Peer Attachment Inventory (IPPA) and the Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire (ESCQ). Besides descriptive analyses, such as Pearson's bivariate correlations, two different methodologies were combined to predict adolescent adjustment: structural equation modelling (SEM) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results show that secure attachment with peers and high emotional competence predict better psychological adjustment (low levels of emotional symptoms, conduct problems and peer problems), while insecure peer attachment and low emotional competence predict maladjustment. These results emphasise the role of socio-emotional variables in the promotion of psychological adjustment in adolescence through the implementation of emotional education programs.

Effects of Attachment Relationship on Adolescent Depression

Depression is a serious psychological problem, It will hurt the development of the adolescent. Depression can cause negative psychological feelings and can also hurt people's academic life. Depression is more likely to occur in the adolescent population and is growing at a faster rate, with its prevalence reaching 20-40%. In this paper, we investigate the mechanism of parental attachment and peer attachment in adolescents with depression, and suggest the establishment of secure attachment relationships from the perspective of parents and schools, aiming to reduce the occurrence of depression in adolescents by establishing secure attachment relationships.

Comparison of Attachment Problems in Romantic Relationships Between Individuals with Bipolar Diagnosis and Individuals Without a Known Psychiatric Diagnosis

Parenting Styles, Attachment Styles, Loneliness as a predictor of Relationship satisfactionAttachment is when one forms a deep and lasting emotional connection to one another across time and space. Attachment is not always mutual. It is also possible to connect to a person unrequitedly. The bond that an individual has with the people in his life is related to attachment styles in infancy. There has been postulation about the connection between bipolar and attachment problems, and several studies have been done on the relationship between anxiety, depression, and relationship satisfaction in general but due to the scarcity and unavailability of bipolar patients, few studies have been conducted. Hence this study aimed to examine the relationship between attachment styles, parenting styles, loneliness, and romantic relationship satisfaction among individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorders and people without the diagnosis. One hundred and sixty-nine people participated in this study. Parenting styles were examined using the Parenting Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), The Experience in Close Relationships questionnaire was used to evaluate the attachment style, UCLA Loneliness Scale measured loneliness and the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) evaluated the relationship satisfaction. Results of the multiple regression showed that there was a collective significant relationship between, loneliness, attachment styles, and relationship satisfaction.Also, a significant negative relationship between Avoidance Attachment and romantic relationship satisfaction and also a significant negative relationship between Anxiety Attachment and romantic relationship satisfaction were found. But no significant relationship between parenting styles and romantic relationship satisfaction.

Lifetime and Current Self-Harm Thoughts and Behaviors and Their Relationship to Parent and Peer Attachment.

Background: Previous research suggests attachment is a vulnerability factor for self-harm thoughts and behaviors in adults. Yet, few studies have investigated this relationship during adolescence, although adolescence is a critical period for changes in attachment relationships and self-harm onset. Whether and how attachment relates to self-harm thoughts and behaviors as measured in daily life is also unknown. Aims: To investigate whether and how paternal, maternal, and peer attachment are associated with lifetime and current adolescent self-harm thoughts and behaviors. Additionally, to examine how different attachment bonds interact in relation to lifetime and current adolescent self-harm thoughts and behaviors. Method: Pre-existing data from N = 1,913 adolescents of the SIGMA study were used. Attachment and lifetime history of self-harm thoughts and behaviors were measured via retrospective questionnaires. Current self-harm thoughts and behaviors were assessed 10 times per day for 6 days using the experience sampling method (ESM). Results: Paternal and maternal attachments were associated with lifetime self-harm thoughts and behaviors and current self-harm thoughts. No significant associations were found between peer attachment and self-harm outcomes. Limitations: Some analyses were underpowered. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of parent-child attachment relationships, which may be intervention targets for prevention and treatment of adolescent self-harm.