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Links between early and concurrent attachment and reflective functioning in young adulthood.

Aino Elina Sirparanta1, Raphaële Miljkovitch1, Magdalena A Zdebik2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Laboratoire Paragraphe EA 349, Universite Paris 8, CY Cergy Paris Universite.

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Summary

Early childhood attachment security, particularly with mothers, predicts adult reflective functioning (RF). Adult attachment security with both parents also influences RF, highlighting the importance of early and ongoing relationships for understanding mental states.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Attachment Theory

Background:

  • Reflective functioning (RF) is the ability to interpret behavior through mental states.
  • Previous research links RF with concurrent attachment security in children and adults.
  • The impact of early versus concurrent attachment security on adult RF is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of early childhood maternal attachment security on adult RF.
  • To examine the role of concurrent adult attachment security with both parents on RF.
  • To explore the interplay between early and concurrent attachment security in shaping adult RF.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 81 participants from childhood to young adulthood.
  • Attachment security assessed at age 4 (mother-child) and age 23 (to each parent).
  • Reflective functioning (RF) coded from adult attachment narratives using the Reflective Functioning Scale.

Main Results:

  • Attachment security to the mother at age 4 was significantly associated with adult RF.
  • An interaction effect was found between adult attachment security to the mother and father, influencing RF.
  • This suggests that attachment to one parent can moderate the effect of attachment to the other parent on RF.

Conclusions:

  • Both early childhood and concurrent attachment security are crucial for adult reflective functioning.
  • The findings underscore the lasting impact of early maternal attachment and the moderating role of relationships with both parents in adulthood.
  • Understanding mental states in adulthood is supported by secure attachment patterns throughout development.