Results showed no evidence that intercorrelations of patterns of attachment behavior were influenced by methodological considerations such as length of observation, setting of observation, or the number of behaviors monitored. Further, there was no evidence of sex differences in the pattern of correlations. (JMB)

Studied adolescent-pet bonding and bereavement following pet loss (n=55). Hypothesized that highly-bonded adolescents experience more intense grief when a pet dies than do those less bonded; degree of bonding is greater for girls than for boys; and intensity of bereavement is greater for girls than for boys. Results supported the hypotheses. (RB)

Investigates the extent to which adolescents' marital expectations are related to the marital expectations of their parents. Examines the extent to which the nature of attachment to the parent and the level of adolescent individuation moderate the carryover of marital expectations model from parents to children. Sex differences are discussed.…

Examined whether adult attachment was predictive of conflict resolution behaviors and satisfaction in romantic relationships. Both adult attachment dimensions, Avoidance and Anxiety, were predictive of conflict resolution behaviors and relationship satisfaction. Gender differences existed in conflict resolution behaviors, but they were not as…

Assessed gender and sexual orientation differences in the percentage of same-gender peers in youths' friendship networks, the gender of their best friends, and the degree of attachment to these friends. Results for 168 sexual minority and heterosexual youths show notable gender differences among the sexual minority youths, with female sexual…

Examined emotional closeness between mothers and their children to determine whether mother-daughter pairs exhibit closer emotional relationships than mother-son pairs. Results with 41 mother-child dyads show girls to be physically closer to their mothers, engaging in more eye contact and higher in global enjoyment. (SLD)

Defines affect attunement as a process in which two individuals mutually create, match, and share their affective states. Examines whether adolescents perceive affect attunement in others, and whether this perception is related to gender. Results revealed that adolescents do perceive and discriminate different levels of affect attunement in others…

Thirty-eight mothers completed questionnaires that assessed their attachment to their infant, stress level, and infant's temperament. Mothers were also observed interacting with their infant at six weeks and again at nine months. Found that stressed mothers felt less attached to their infant at six months than nonstressed mothers, and mothers of…

Analyzed attachment relationships of 22 maltreated and 21 nonmaltreated infants of 12 months. Findings indicated a preponderance of disorganized/disoriented (Type D) attachments in the maltreatment group, with boys more likely than girls to be Type D. (RJC)

Examined changes over three annual assessments of perceptions of gay and lesbian couples on current levels of attachment, autonomy, and equality in the relationship; the importance of these factors in an ideal relationship; and relationship commitment. Changes in relationship commitment over time were explained by changes in the discrepancy…

Compared women's (n=40) and men's (n=20) levels of self-evolvement based on Kegan's Constructive-Developmental Theory. Findings from U.S. military personnel in Europe revealed no gender differences in self-evolvement. Results suggest stereotypically masculine orientation toward individuation and increased autonomy and stereotypically feminine…

Children of 18 months classified as secure or insecure/avoidant by means of the Ainsworth Strange Situation were observed at home and in a playgroup. Teachers and observers rated girls classified as insecure/avoidant as being more difficult to deal with and having more difficulty with peers than girls rated as securely attached. (PCB)

Three studies explore similarities between attachment style typologies and sex role typologies. Both are defined by pairs of dimensions: self model and other model (attachment styles); masculinity, or agency, and femininity, or communion (sex role orientations). Discusses results. (KW)

Pooled sibling attachment data to compare attachment relationships to mothers for 138 sibling pairs. Found that sibling relationships were significantly concordant when classified as secure/nonsecure but not when further subcategorized. Maternal insensitivity to both siblings was associated with concordance of sibling nonsecurity. Same gender…

Studied identity development and attachment to parents in a sample of 100 first-year college students. Self-report data suggest that females had higher levels of exploration and commitment than male students. Identity development in females was related to attachment to mothers; in males, identity development was not related to attachment to either…