The relationship between attachment style and placement of parents in adults’ attachment networks over time

Fay Julal, K. B. Carnelley, A. Rowe

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6 Citations (Scopus)
286 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Using a bull’s-eye hierarchical mapping technique (HMT), the present study examined placement of parents in adults’ attachment networks over time. We hypothesized that attachment style would predict distance at which network members (mother, father, and romantic partner) would be placed from the core-self over time. Participants completed the HMT on two occasions, 12 months apart. Concurrently and over time, fathers were placed further from the core-self than mothers. Attachment style explained unique variance, beyond that accounted for by individual and relationship characteristics. Specifically, network members with whom participants reported greater attachment insecurity were placed further from the core-self concurrently. Mothers with whom participants reported greater attachment insecurity were placed further from the core-self over time. Unsatisfactory attachment relationships with father and partner and those marked by higher attachment insecurity were more likely to be excluded from attachment networks over time. Findings suggest that attachment style, relationship quality, romantic relationship status, and parents’ marital status determine the placement of parents in adults’ attachment networks.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-25
JournalAttachment and Human Development
Early online date25 Apr 2017
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 25 Apr 2017

Keywords

  • attachment
  • attachment networks
  • parents
  • attachment style
  • longitudinal

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