Attachment is the emotional bond between the infant and the primary caregiver that has a tremendous impact throughout their life. The current study aimed to explore the attachment of adolescents to parents and peers, their relationship and the impact on the development of self-esteem in adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years. The sample (N =…

This correlational study examined perceived personal growth among couples who recently became grandparents, investigating its association with attachment style, self-differentiation, and the perceived growth of the spouse. In addition, the background variables of age, education, and physical health were examined. The sample consisted of 206…

The relationship between attachment style and family dynamics was examined among undergraduate students (N=238). Three dimensions of family structure studied were cohesion, adaptability, and satisfaction. Securely attached participants reported significantly higher levels of adaptability, cohesion, and satisfaction in their family of origin than…

Discusses the use of religion in the lives of adolescents to repair problematic or disrupted attachments in the context of attachment theory and Kohut's self-psychology particularly in reference to the self-object. Proposes that adolescents do not seek to break ties with parents or adults so much as to revise their relationships in a more adult…

Based on life span attachment perspective and on identity status paradigm, this study investigated the relationship between attachment and identity in a sample of 361 Portuguese late adolescents as a function of parental and adolescent gender. The results indicated gender differences in the association between attachment variables and identity…

Cites research studies suggesting the importance of early mother-infant, father-infant interaction, and gives several examples of the varied new approaches in hospitals and medical centers which encourage early prenatal contact both for normal and premature infants. (BR)

Focuses on definition of sensitivity, developmental changes in sensitivity, and clinical implications of attachment. Maintains that promptness, consistency, and appropriateness are the main components of sensitivity across parenting dimensions. Suggests that studying infant antecedents to attachment security is equally important to that of parent…

Reviews the major transitional object (TO) theories in terms of origin, development, and psychological meaning. Examines the validity of TO (intense, persistent attachments young children develop for blankets, soft toys, and bits of cloth) theory in light of current empirical knowledge of TO behavior. (HOD)

Investigates whether autonomy and parental attachment in a diverse group of undergraduate women (N=325) varied by class year, as suggested by the Chickering model. Results revealed a pattern of autonomy development that differed from the model's. Although student autonomy increased with class year, students displayed no decreased attachment to…

Maintains that the preceding studies extend a long line of research demonstrating the coherence of individual development in attachment security. Notes that the studies clarify that attachment security can be stable from infancy through early adulthood and that changes in security are meaningfully related to changes in the family environment.…

This study tested the hypothesis that social competence of mother-infant play reflects both secure mother-infant attachment and more advanced cognitive development. Subjects were 58 toddlers between 16 and 19 months of age and their mothers. Two general methods were used: observation and maternal report. Standardized developmental assessments were…

The conceptualizations of morphogenic processes suggested by systems theorists provide a useful framework for describing growth and development in complex adaptive self-directing organisms. These processes involve changes in (1) a system's structure, state, or functioning; (2) discontinuities in development; and (3) at least two kinds of…

Adolescents and young adults (three age groups: 12-15, 16-19, and 20-28 years) reported their use of parents, and peers to fulfill attachment functions (proximity-seeking, safe haven, and secure base.) The use of each target figure varied with age and attachment function. Mothers were an important source of security across this age range. They…

Suggests future directions for study of sensitivity and its impact on early psychosocial development: (1) renewed attention to growth of attachment in context of other developing features of the parent-child relationship; (2) factors that moderate impact of sensitivity on developing security; (3) origins of individual differences in sensitivity;…

Assessed the relationship of attachment status to autobiographical memory in preschoolers. Found that mother-child dyads with insecurely attached daughters engaged in relatively more negative memory talk than those with securely attached daughters. Secure-daughter dyads elaborated more on emotional themes than insecure-daughter dyads. Relations…