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Attachment across the Lifespan: Challenges in the New Century

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 24637

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Susana Tereno

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Guest Editor

Psychology Department, Université de Rouen, CRFDP, EA 7475, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
Interests: attachment theory; generational transmission of attachment; subsequent mental health of severely vulnerable children and of their parents

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Attachment theory has become a fundamental tool to understand some major features of human psychic and relational functioning. This is well-evidenced by the fact that none of what is indispensable to human global development has been kept out from its research scope. This feature is sustained by its already-proven ability to address the norm and the pathos, the individual and the relational, from a behavioral and representational level to a neurobiological one, and all this across the lifespan. Nevertheless, its well-developed body of knowledge does not hinder its dynamic quality, i.e., its readiness to respond to life’s ever-changing challenges, one of the best ways to test the relevance of a theory. In this Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) we shall set ourselves to the task of substantiating this claim. In a world of uncertainty, how do new families keep their foundational attachment bonds? What do we know about attachment representations and their evolution across time? How do neurophysiology and biometrics fit within attachment research? What is new in attachment clinical and working contexts? New research papers and comprehensive reviews targeting challenges in the new century on attachment across the lifespan are welcome to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Susana Tereno
Guest Editor

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Keywords

attachment
life span
uncertainty
internal working models
neurophysiology
adoption
psychotrauma
fathers
divorce
work

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 889 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Attachment Networks and Mother–Infant Bonding Disturbances among Mothers with Postpartum Major Depression

by Stéphanie Vanwalleghem, Raphaële Miljkovitch, Aino Sirparanta, Camille Toléon, Stéphanie Leclercq and Anne-Sophie Deborde

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(12), 6155; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126155 - 16 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3316

Abstract

The literature suggests that maternal insecure attachment is a risk factor for postpartum depression which, in turn, affects motherinfant bonding. However, recent research in attachment suggests that the investigation of attachment networks provides further insight in the understanding of psychological outcomes. This study aims to test a model according to which mothers’ attachment towards each of their parents contributes to explain attachment towards their romantic partners, which itself is associated with maternal postpartum depression and, in turn, with motherinfant bonding. The Attachment Multiple Model Interview, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire were administered to 90 mothers of infants under 6 months of age (32 with postpartum major depression). Results showed that attachment towards the partner (1) is best explained by attachment to the father and (2) mediates the link between attachment to the father and depression severity. Also, depression severity mediates the link between attachment to the partner and motherinfant bonding. These results highlight the role of attachment models towards the romantic partner and the father in the perinatal period and the relevance of attachment-focused therapeutic programs in treating postpartum maternal depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attachment across the Lifespan: Challenges in the New Century)

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12 pages, 647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Father Involvement and Maternal Stress: The Mediating Role of Coparenting

by Dora d’Orsi, Manuela Veríssimo and Eva Diniz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5457; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085457 - 10 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2873

Abstract

In recent years mothers have been finding themselves overwhelmed by the need to balance work and maternal duties. Father involvement in childcare has been related to a decrease in mother’s burden in childcare. This association is influenced by multiple aspects, such as the way parents share parenting perspectives and views about child rearing, i.e., coparenting. Nevertheless, the mediating role of coparenting on the association between father involvement and maternal stress has been overlooked. This will be addressed by the current study. A total of 254 Portuguese married/cohabiting mothers of preschool children reported on maternal stress, father involvement in caregiving, and coparenting. Data was collected in public and private schools through questionnaires and online through advertisements in social media. Results show that greater father involvement in direct care was associated with greater maternal stress, but this direction changes when mediated by cooperative coparenting. Moreover, results suggest that when mothers perceived less conflict in coparenting, greater father (in)direct care contributed to decreased maternal stress. The current study supports the notion that fathers involvement and parent’s cooperation account to mothers’ wellbeing, which will improve family dynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attachment across the Lifespan: Challenges in the New Century)

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12 pages, 402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mediating Role of Perceived Comfort between Workplace Attachment Style and Perceived Stress

by Justine Rebillon, Olivier Codou, Jean-Félix Hamel, Eva Moffat and Fabrizio Scrima

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(7), 5377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075377 - 3 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2524

Abstract

Past studies highlight the relevance of attachment theory to the study of workplace stress and the impact of employee assessments about the physical–spatial work environment on their health. This paper is one of a number of works studying the points of connection between Bowlby’s attachment theory and the place attachment theory adopted by environmental psychologists. We proposed that a secure workplace attachment style would be negatively associated with perceived stress (and vice versa for insecure workplace attachment styles). Perceived comfort was hypothesized to mediate these effects. A convenience sample of French white-collar workers (N = 379) completed an online survey. Hypotheses were tested using the PROCESS macro. Both insecure workplace attachment styles (i.e., avoidant and preoccupied) were negatively associated with perceived comfort, which partially mediated their positive effect on perceived stress. The preventive influence of a secure workplace attachment on perceived stress was entirely mediated by its positive effect on perceived comfort. By setting different expectations regarding the work environment, workplace attachment styles could translate into a more or less stressful and comfortable employee experience. The more secure the bond employees internalize with their workplace, the more they might benefit from its comforts’ restorative potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attachment across the Lifespan: Challenges in the New Century)

17 pages, 597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attachment to Mother and Father, Sleep, and Well-Being in Late Middle Childhood

by Catarina Perpétuo, Mona El-Sheikh, Eva Diniz and Manuela Veríssimo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043399 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2256

Abstract

The security of attachment has been related to several advantageous developmental outcomes, such as good sleep quality and higher well-being indicators. However, few studies concern the associations between attachment dimensions to both parents, sleep, and well-being in late middle childhood. Our study aims to expand knowledge in this area, clarifying the above-mentioned associations by considering the secure base and safe haven dimensions of attachment. We also investigate the role of sleep as a mediator of the relationship between attachment and well-being. The 258 participants (49.2% girls, mean age = 11.19, SD = 0.85) completed self-report questionnaires regarding attachment (KSS), sleep (SSR), and well-being (CHIP-CE). The results show significant associations between attachment to both parents (0.40 ** ≤ r ≤ 0.61 **) and between attachment security, sleep (−0.21 ** ≤ r ≤ −0.35 **) and child well-being (0.42 ** ≤ r ≤ 0.47 **). Besides, sleep quality partially mediated the relations between all attachment dimensions to both parents and well-being. The results are discussed in light of attachment theory, focusing on the comparison between attachment to mother and father as a valid framework to unravel differences in child well-being, with sleep as a process that can help to explain the mechanisms through which attachment security enables subjective perceptions of well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attachment across the Lifespan: Challenges in the New Century)

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14 pages, 360 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Martin Schröder, Süheyla Seker, Delfine d’Huart, Yonca Izat, Margarete Bolten, Klaus Schmeck and Marc Schmid

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15458; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315458 - 22 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2715

Abstract

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attachment across the Lifespan: Challenges in the New Century)

14 pages, 366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parental Divorce Process and Post-Divorce Parental Behaviors and Strategies: Examining Emerging Adult Children’s Attachment-Related Anxiety and Avoidance

by Klara Smith-Etxeberria, Irune Corres-Medrano and Itziar Fernandez-Villanueva

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10383; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610383 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6996

Abstract

The main goal of this study was to examine the role of parental behaviors during both the process of divorce and the post-divorce period on emerging adult children’s attachment-related anxiety and avoidance. Specifically, we analyzed how recalled coparental respect and cooperation, interparental conflict, positive parenting strategies, and both parents’ emotional state and instability from adult children’s perspective during the divorce process and the post-divorce period were associated with emerging adult children’s current attachment representations. Our sample consisted of 173 emerging adults (Mage = 22.01). The results of this study demonstrate that paternal coparental respect and cooperation along with freedom provided by the mother to talk about the father during the divorce process and post-divorce period were both related to lower attachment-related avoidance. Our findings also confirm a significant link between some paternal positive attitudes during the divorce process (i.e., freedom provided by the father to talk about the mother) and low attachment-related anxiety. Overall, the results of this research confirm that beyond divorce perse, several variables surrounding the divorce process better explain variations in adult children’s attachment representations, which contribute to better comprehending the effects of parental divorce. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attachment across the Lifespan: Challenges in the New Century)

Review

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26 pages, 1739 KiB

Open AccessReview

Attachment, Feeding Practices, Family Routines and Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review of the Literature

by Sarah Clément and Susana Tereno

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5496; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085496 - 13 Apr 2023

Viewed by 3206

Abstract

Childhood obesity is considered a major public health problem. To help prevention and intervention programs targeting families with obese children, this paper is aimed at synthesizing multifactorial and transactional data resulting from studies and reviews assessing relational factors between the child and his or her parents and the child’s obesity risk, including the child’s and CG’s attachment quality, parental feeding practices, and family routines. It is also aimed at assessing the mediation of these links by specific self-regulatory capacities across different developmental periods (0–2, 2–8, and 8–18 years old). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were applied in the review methodology. Ten papers were analyzed, including seven empirical studies and three reviews proposing etiological models of childhood obesity. The quality of empirical studies was assessed, and a synthetical model of the results was proposed. This literature review showed that the caregiver’s (CG) and the child’s attachment quality, along with controlling or permissive feeding practices, and few family routines are mostly mediated by appetite dysregulation and emotional regulation strategies with the development of child obesity. New research topics are proposed to understand other facets of childhood obesity, as well as how to better prevent and treat it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attachment across the Lifespan: Challenges in the New Century)

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