influence of early attachment on adulthood

Why does the first attachment matter?

The quality of a child’s first attachment acts as a template for future relationships - influence of the internal working model

How does early attachment affect adult relationships?

McCathy (1999) - studied 40 women

• Securely attached infants - best adult friendships and romantic relationships

• Insecure resistant infants - problems maintaining friendships

• Insecure avoidant infants - struggle with intimacy in romantic relationships

How does early attachment affect bullying behaviour?

Myron - Wilson and Smith (1998)

• Secure - unlikely to be involved

• Insecure avoidant - most likely to be victims

• Insecure resistant - most likely to be bullies

How does early attachment affect parenting styles?

Bailey et al (2007) - Strange situation and interviews

• Majority of women had the same attachment classification both to their babies and their own mothers

How does early attachment affect peer relationships in childhood?

Kerns (1994)

• Secure - best quality childhood friendships

• Insecure - have friendship difficulties

What is the Hazan and Shaver (1987) love quiz?

Procedure:

Analysed 620 replies to a ‘love quiz’ in an American local newspaper - 3 sections

• Assessed current or most important relationship

• Assessed general love experiences (e.g. number of partners)

• Assessed attachment type - choosing between 3 statements

Findings:

• 56% identified as securely attached, 25% insecure-avoidant, 19% insecure-resistant

• Secure attachment - most likely to have goo and longer lasting romantic experiences

• Insecure avoidant - reveal jealously and fear of intimacy