From maternal sensitivity in infancy to adult attachment representations: a longitudinal adoption study with secure
Christie Schoenmaker1, Femmie Juffer, Marinus H van IJzendoorn
1a Centre for Child and Family Studies , Leiden University , Leiden , Netherlands.
Attachment & Human Development
|April 28, 2015
Summary
Maternal sensitivity in infancy and childhood significantly predicts secure attachment representations in adulthood, highlighting the lasting impact of sensitive parenting on development, even in adoptive families.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Attachment Theory
- Parenting Studies
Background:
- Adult attachment representations are crucial for understanding social and emotional functioning.
- Parenting quality, particularly maternal sensitivity, is theorized to influence attachment development.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the long-term effects of early and later parenting on adult attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if early and later maternal sensitivity predict adult attachment representations.
- To examine the continuity of attachment across development in adoptees.
- To assess the role of sensitive parenting in shaping adult attachment, independent of genetic factors.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 190 adoptees.
- Maternal sensitivity assessed in infancy, and at 7 and 14 years.
- Attachment representations measured at 23 years using the Attachment Script Assessment; attachment also measured in infancy and at 14 years.
Main Results:
- Infant maternal sensitivity predicted secure infant attachment and secure adult attachment representations.
- Middle childhood maternal sensitivity predicted secure adult attachment representations.
- No direct continuity of attachment from infancy to adulthood was found, but adolescent and adult attachment were related.
Conclusions:
- Maternal sensitivity in both early and middle childhood is a significant predictor of adult attachment representations.
- Sensitive parenting plays a vital role in fostering secure attachment in young adulthood, irrespective of genetic relatedness.
- Findings underscore the enduring importance of responsive caregiving for healthy psychological development.
Keywords:
Attachment Script Assessmentadoptionadult attachmentattachmentsecure base scriptssensitivityMore Related Videos
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