Patterns of Attachments across the Lifespan
Title
Patterns of Attachments across the Lifespan
Author
Fivush, Robyn
Waters, Theodore E. A.
Research Area
Development
Topic
Developmental Processes
Abstract
The attachment relationship is a critical bond between infant and caregiver that, when secure, facilitates physical and psychological well‐being. Cutting‐edge research integrating attachment theory with cognitive theories of event representations indicates that both generalized event representations, or scripts, and specific autobiographical narratives provide continuity from implicit to explicit representations of attachment across development. Script‐like attachment representations are related to implicit behavioral measures in infancy, as well as to adult narrative measures of attachment, the emerging life story, and intimate partner behaviors, providing continuity across development in attachment representations and behaviors. Explicit attachment representations are at least partly developed within parentally guided narrative interactions in which mothers help their preschool children develop coherent and emotionally regulated representations of their past experiences. These representations are related to developing self‐concept and emotion‐regulation. Narrative representations of attachment extend beyond personal experience to include intergenerational narratives of the familial past, thus facilitating the intergenerational transmission of attachment. Additional longitudinal research is needed to flesh out these exciting new integrations of attachment theory and cognitive psychology.