The Role of Attachment Behavior and Relationships in Lifespan Development

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 1726

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Center for Psychology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Interests: attachment; family relations; psychosocial adaptations; resilience; emotional regulation; residential care context; psychotherapy; adolescents; young people

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Education and Psychology, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE), Center for Psychology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Interests: conflict in families; sibling violence; bullying; cyberbullying; cyber dating abuse; internet addiction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portuga
2. Center for Psychology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Interests: topics of relational dynamics; attachment and cognitive-emotional processes in different contexts and stages of development (e.g., family, residential care, and transition into adulthood)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Considering the attachment theory approach and an ecological perspective, this Special Issue intends to discuss the relevance of risk and protective factors for psychosocial adjustment throughout life. Discontinued emotional experiences and maladaptive processes in life transitions from childhood to adulthood can hinder adaptive development. The quality of relationships with parents or other significant figures (e.g., peers, siblings, teachers, and caregivers), regardless of family configuration, is an important pointer of mental health, helping to cope with difficulties and fostering the development of emotional regulation as well as resilience. Affective support enhances the development of autonomy and is significantly related to the sense of agency that characterizes personal development. Gender differences have been pointed out, but the literature is controversial on psychosocial adjustment processes. Papers must be based on studies that may include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, quantitative and/or qualitative research, prevalence studies, comparative studies, and those that are clinical or evidence-based in different scientific areas of studies.

Dr. Catarina Pinheiro Mota
Dr. Inês Carvalho Relva
Dr. Mónica Costa
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • attachment
  • family
  • caregivers
  • relationships
  • psychological adjustment
  • emotional regulation
  • resilience
  • mental health
  • agency
  • autonomy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 484 KiB  
Article
Family Support, Resilience, and Life Goals of Young People in Residential Care
by Cristina Peixoto Alves, Inês Carvalho Relva, Mónica Costa and Catarina Pinheiro Mota
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070581 - 9 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1195
Abstract
Establishing goals for young people in residential care (RC) is a gap in the literature, especially in terms of the relationship between family support and resilience. The literature suggests that RC is associated with the breakdown of family relationships, so the possibility of [...] Read more.
Establishing goals for young people in residential care (RC) is a gap in the literature, especially in terms of the relationship between family support and resilience. The literature suggests that RC is associated with the breakdown of family relationships, so the possibility of the family playing a positive role in establishing life goals for young people is reduced. However, family support in the context of organization and stability can be assumed to be a protective factor for the formulation of life goals and contribute to the resilient development of young people. This study aimed to analyze the role of family support in the process of setting goals for young people in RC, as well as to analyze the potential mediating role of resilience in the previous association. The sample included 124 young people aged between 12 and 23 years living in RC. The results point to a positive association between family support (autonomy) and the planning of life goals and verify the total mediating effect of resilience in this association. The results are discussed considering attachment theory and the role of the family in the adaptive development of young people. This study’s findings provide important indications for developing future interventions. Full article
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