Review of Attachment Theory: Familial Predictors, Continuity and Change, and Intrapersonal and Relational Outcomes

Sutton, Tara E.

doi:10.1080/01494929.2018.1458001

Cited by 87Attachment and Relationship DynamicsPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Review of Attachment Theory: Familial Predictors, Continuity and Change, and Intrapersonal and Relational Outcomes

Sutton, Tara E.·2019·Marriage & Family Review

DOI 10.1080/01494929.2018.1458001

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Abstract

Initially, the major focus of attachment theory was the parent–child relationship, but Bowlby (1988 Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Clinical applications of attachment theory. London: Routeledge. [Google Scholar]) also described the attachment system as active over the entire life course. Accordingly, a proliferation of research on attachment theory in the past two decades has addressed an array of familial predictors as well as intrapersonal and relational outcomes of attachment. The purpose of this review is to present: 1) measurement of attachment, 2) family violence, parental depression, and parental divorce as predictors of attachment, 3) (in)stability of attachment over time, 4) impact of attachment on emotion regulation and psychopathology, and 5) influence of attachment on romantic relationship. Special attention is paid to the role of attachment as a mediator between family of origin experiences and outcomes among youth and adults.

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From Evaluating attachment-based family therapy in residential treatment in the United States: does adolescents' increased attachment security to caregivers lead to decreases in depressive symptoms? (2024) · cites this paper as [12]

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Effects of attachment-focused versus relationship skills-focused group interventions for college students with insecure attachment patterns
Kilmann, P. R., Urbaniak, G. C., & Parnell, M. M. (2006) · Attachment & Human Development · doi:10.1080/14616730600585219 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Recollections of parent characteristics and attachment patterns for college women of intact vs. non‐intact families☆
Kilmann, P. R., Carranza, L. V., & Vendemia, J. M. C. (2005) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2005.01.004 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Expectant parents' representations of early attachment relationships: Associations with mental health and family history.
Riggs, S. A., & Jacobvitz, D. B. (2002) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.70.1.195 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Attachment Security and Parental Perception of Competency Among Abused Women in the Shadow of PTSD and Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence
Waldman‐Levi, A., Finzi‐Dottan, R., & Weintraub, N. (2013) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-013-9813-3 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Adult attachment orientations and anger expression in romantic relationships: A dyadic analysis.
Nisenbaum, M. G., & Lopez, F. G. (2014) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/cou0000047 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Attachment Style and Marital Commitment in the Context of Remarriage
Ehrenberg, M. F., Robertson, M., & Pringle, J. D. (2012) · Journal of Divorce & Remarriage · doi:10.1080/10502556.2012.663270 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Associations Between Family and Interpersonal Processes and Emerging Adult Marital Paradigms: Does Adult Attachment Mediate?
Jensen, T. M., Willoughby, B. J., Holman, T. B., Busby, D. M., & Shafer, K. M. (2014) · Journal of Adult Development · doi:10.1007/s10804-014-9200-3 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Early Abuse Experiences and Subsequent Gender Differences in Couple Adjustment
Godbout, N., Lussier, Y., & Sabourin, S. (2006) · Violence and Victims · doi:10.1891/vv-v21i6a005 · Cited by 13 · see citing works

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Postpartum Depression—Identifying Risk and Access to Intervention
Gopalan, P. R., Spada, M. L., Shenai, N., Brockman, I., Keil, M. A., Livingston, S., Moses‐Kolko, E. L., Nichols, N., O’Toole, K. S., Quinn, B., et al. (2022) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-022-01392-7 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Intimate partner violence and child attachment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Noonan, C. B., & Pilkington, P. D. (2020) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104765 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
The Role of the Academic and Political Empowerment of Women in Economic, Social and Managerial Empowerment: The Case of Saudi Arabia
Al-Qahtani, M. M. Z., Alkhateeb, T. T. Y., Mahmood, H., Abdalla, M. A. Z., & Qaralleh, T. J. O. (2020) · Economies · doi:10.3390/economies8020045 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Romantic Attachment and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation on Dyadic Adjustment: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Fávero, M., Lemos, L., Moreira, D., Ribeiro, F. N., & Sousa-Gomes, V. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.723823 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Maltreatment, attachment, and substance use in adolescence: Direct and indirect pathways.
Hayre, R. S., Goulter, N., & Moretti, M. (2019) · Addictive Behaviours · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.049 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Dark Triad traits, recalled and current quality of the parent-child relationship: A non-western replication and extension
Tajmirriyahi, M., Doerfler, S. M., Najafi, M., Hamidizadeh, K., & Ickes, W. J. (2021) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2021.110949 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
The Experience of Foster Care and Long-Term Attachment
Miranda, M., Tadros, E., & Molla, E. (2019) · American Journal of Family Therapy · doi:10.1080/01926187.2019.1679053 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Parentalidad profesional en el acogimiento institucional: propuesta para mejorar la atención a los niños acogidos en centros de protección
Roca, J. S. (2019) · Pedagogia Social Revista Interuniversitaria · doi:10.7179/psri_2019.34.07 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“It is calculated that children who have suffered from abuse are 80 times more likely to develop insecure, anxious, ambivalent or disorganised attachment (for a review, see Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Chinese adolescents’ psychosocial adjustment: The contribution of mothers’ attachment style and adolescents’ attachment to mother
Li, J., Guo, Y.-J., Delvecchio, E., & Mazzeschi, C. (2020) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407520932667 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“Adolescents’ attachment to parents is strongly related to psychosocial adjustment, and one important antecedent of individuals’ attachment to parents is parenting practices which largely ground on parents’ attachment styles (Jones et al., 2015; Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Parental separation or divorce and adulthood attachment: The mediating role of the Abandonment schema
D'Rozario, A. B., & Pilkington, P. D. (2021) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2659 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Maternal Prenatal Anxiety and Children’s Externalizing and Internalizing Behavioral Problems: The Moderating Roles of Maternal-Child Attachment Security and Child Sex
Ali, E., Letourneau, N. L., Benzies, K., Ntanda, H. N., Dewey, D., Campbell, T. S., & Giesbrecht, G. (2019) · Canadian Journal of Nursing Research · doi:10.1177/0844562119894184 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“The attachment style can change as a result of changes in the relationship with a caregiver or changes in a family context (Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Emotion Regulation in Dementia Caregiving: The Role of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Attachment Orientation
Brandão, T., Brites, R., Hipólito, J., Nunes, O., & Tomé‐Pires, C. (2023) · Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology · doi:10.1177/08919887231195228 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“28,35 Additionally, as found in previous studies, 29,33,34 individuals with higher levels of avoidance or anxiety have more dif ﬁ culties in ER, being more likely to suppress their emotions and less likely to engage in cognitive reappraisal.”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Patients’ Tests and Clinicians’ Emotions: A Clinical Illustration
Gazzillo, F., Kealy, D., & Bush, M. (2022) · Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy · doi:10.1007/s10879-022-09535-w · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Adult attachment: Its mediation role on childhood trauma and mobile phone addiction
Liang, H.-Y., Zhang, B., Jiang, H.-B., & Zhou, H.-L. (2021) · Journal of Psychology in Africa · doi:10.1080/14330237.2021.1952706 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Predictive Effect of Romantic Attachment and Difficulties in Emotional Regulation on the Dyadic Adjustment
Sousa-Gomes, V., Lemos, L., Moreira, D., Ribeiro, F. N., & Fávero, M. (2023) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-022-00708-9 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“, 2017), intertwined in their origin and remaining interdependent throughout the life span (Cole, 2014; Hazan & Selcuk, 2015; Zimmermann & Thompson, 2014), and mostly maintaining the original trend (Arriaga et al., 2018; Fraley & Hudson, 2017; Gillath et al., 2016; Simpson et al., 2015; Sutton, 2019; Taylor et al., 20…”
Background
Are We Any Closer to Understanding How Chronic Pain Develops? A Systematic Search and Critical Narrative Review of Existing Chronic Pain Vulnerability Models
Delgado-Sánchez, A., Brown, C. A., Sivan, M., Talmi, D., Charalambous, C., & Jones, A. K. P. (2023) · Journal of Pain Research · doi:10.2147/jpr.s411628 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“The Attachment-Diathesis Model of Chronic Pain(19) Attachment theory is one of the most established and supported theories in psychology.(73) This developmental theory states that an infant will develop an internal working model of relationships based on the early interactions they have with their primary caretaker.”
Background
What Do Different People Look for in a Partner? Effects of Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Mating Strategies on Partner Preferences
Takayanagi, J. F. G. B., Siqueira, J. D. O., Silveira, P. S. P., & Valentová, J. V. (2024) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-023-02767-4 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“…styles and relationship satisfaction is well established, showing that individuals with higher attachment anxiety or higher attachment avoidance tend to be less satisfied in their relationships and to have shorter-lasting relationships (Candel & Turliuc, 2019; Mark et al., 2018; Sutton, 2019).”
Understanding Strengths in Adolescent–Parent Relationships: A Qualitative Analysis of Adolescent Speech Samples
McKenna, S., Olsen, A., & Pasalich, D. S. (2021) · Journal of Research on Adolescence · doi:10.1111/jora.12684 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Human attachment as a multi-dimensional control system: A computational implementation
Gagliardi, M. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.844012 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Attachment is a crucial and complex psychological phenomenon whose theory has been evolving for many decades, not only enormously widening its corpus but also reﬁning its fundamental concepts and adopting diﬀerent viewpoints (Fitton, 2012; Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Student Burnout in Children and Adolescents: The Role of Attachment and Emotion Regulation
Iuga, I. A., David, D., & Danet, M. (2023) · Children · doi:10.3390/children10091443 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Trust in adolescence: Development, mechanisms and future directions
A, L. K. M., Sijtsma, H., Crone, E. A., & van Buuren, M. (2024) · Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101426 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Building on these theories, there is now a rich literature documenting the importance of early relationships for later social-emotional outcomes (Delgado et al., 2020; Feeney et al., 2008; Kochanska et al, 2019; Sutton, 2019).”
Smartphone and Tablet as Digital Babysitter
Ruggieri, R. A., Mollo, M., & Marra, G. (2024) · Social Sciences · doi:10.3390/socsci13080412 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“…human mind is structured through bonding, meaning it is structured to be “ in relation with ”, to the point that it can be asserted that the mind functions according to not only intersubjective but also intra-subjective modes (Flaherty and Sadler 2011; Cassidy et al. 2013; Music 2016; Sutton 2018).”
Background
Early maladaptive schemas mediate the relationship between severe childhood trauma and eating disorder symptoms: evidence from an exploratory study
Fasolato, R., Felice, M. D., Barbui, C., Bertani, M., Bonora, F., Castellazzi, M., Castelli, S., Cristofalo, D., Dall’Agnola, R. B., Ruggeri, M., et al. (2024) · Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1186/s40337-024-01103-y · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Factors such as parental mental health, child temperament, social and economic conditions, and competing care demands, may exert influence on the development of secure attachment relationships [34–36].”
Background
The role of maternal attachment in mental health and dyadic relationships in war trauma
Punamäki, R., Qouta, S., & Diab, S. Y. (2019) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02867 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Instead, there is augmenting evidence of insecure attachment contributing to the non-optimal parenting quality among mothers exposed to current interpersonal violence or abuse in their own childhood (Lo et al., 2017; Sutton, 2019).”
Background
The role of attachment styles in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analytic review from the perspective of a transactional development model
Cavicchioli, M., Stefanazzi, C., Tobia, V., & Ogliari, A. L. (2022) · European Journal of Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1080/17405629.2022.2069095 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“These difficulties reinforce the dysfunctional representations of the self and others, which are associated with insecure attachment styles (Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Romantic Relationship Satisfaction and Parent-Infant Bonding During the Transition to Parenthood: An Attachment-Based Perspective
Little, K. K., & Sockol, L. E. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02068 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Secure attachment might enhance these factors through skills that promote adaptive processes in couple interactions, including the ability to give and receive emotional support, conflict management skills, and affective regulation abilities (Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Factors Associated with Parent–Adolescent Attachment Relationship Quality: A Longitudinal Study
Therriault, D., Lemelin, J., Toupin, J., & Déry, M. (2021) · Adolescents · doi:10.3390/adolescents1020013 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Longitudinal studies have also revealed that an insecure attachment is a predictor of future behavioral difficulties, both externalizing and internalizing [7,15,18].”
Background
Relationship-Status and Work-Life Balance Satisfaction: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analyses
Kislev, E. (2022) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-022-10137-w · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Emotionally focused couple therapy in cancer survivor couples with marital and sexual problems: a replicated single-case experimental design
van Diest, S. L., Oudsten, B. L. D., Aaronson, N. K., Beaulen, A. A. J. M., Verboon, P., Aarnoudse, B., & van Lankveld, J. J. D. M. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1123821 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“It is based on the attachment theory, which posits that secure emotional attachment to the partner is a basic need in partner relationships (Hazan and Shaver, 1987; Mikulincer and Shaver, 2007; Péloquin et al., 2014; Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Understanding Technology’s Impact on Youth: Attachment Theory as a Framework for Conceptualizing Adolescents’ Relationship with Their Mobile Devices
Hodge, D. R., & Gebler-Wolfe, M. (2022) · Children & Schools · doi:10.1093/cs/cdac007 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Italian Validation of AAS-R: Assessing Psychometric Properties of Adult Attachment Scale—Revised in the Italian Context
Troisi, G., Parola, A., & Margherita, G. (2022) · Psychological Studies · doi:10.1007/s12646-022-00672-9 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“, (1978) can be considered the most pervasive theory of early emotional development, placing itself at the center of growing interest in the field of developmental, clinical and research psychology (e.g., Castellano et al., 2014; Dazzi & De Coro, 2001; Dazzi & Zavattini, 2011; Gilath et al., 2019; Mikulincer & Shaver,…”
Background
Experiences in Adult Relationships After Nonsexual Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Scoping Review of Qualitative Studies
Pigeon, S., Frederickson, A., & Langevin, R. (2023) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-023-00543-5 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“The lack of support often contributed to participants’ feelings of distrust towards others and negatively impacted their relational functioning, in some cases leading to violence in their relationships (e.g., Dekel et al., 2018, 2019; Schmitz & Tyler, 2015 ).”
Influential
Predictors of attachment in early- and late-placed adoptees
Hillman, S., Lajmi, N., Hodges, J., Kaniuk, J., & Steele, M. (2024) · Adoption & Fostering · doi:10.1177/03085759241297696 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“The few studies carried out on adolescent adoptees were able to identify a link between secure maternal states of mind and their own security (Beijersbergen et al., 2012; Pace et al., 2015, 2019).”
Influential
Evaluating attachment-based family therapy in residential treatment in the United States: does adolescents' increased attachment security to caregivers lead to decreases in depressive symptoms?
Diamond, G., Rivers, A. S., Winston-Lindeboom, P., Russon, J., & Roeske, M. (2024) · Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health · doi:10.1186/s13034-024-00833-w · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Studies have consistently shown that negative family processes can cause or exacerbate mental health problems in youth [11, 12].”
Attachment style and romantic involvement with host nationals influence migrants’ acculturation and adjustment
Marshall, T. C., & Lao, C. H. (2024) · International Journal of Intercultural Relations · doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2024.101950 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Attachment theory suggests that an infant ’ s interactions with a primary caregiver help to shape internal working models of self and other across the lifespan, influencing individual differences in affect, cognition, and behavior (Bowlby, 1973; Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Young Adult’s Outlook on Marriage: The Influence of Parental Divorce, Family of Origin Functioning and Attachment Style
Lazinski, M. J., & Ehrenberg, M. F. (2024) · Family Transitions · doi:10.1080/28375300.2024.2382994 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Growing Up with an Absent Parent: A Mixed-Methods Approach on Parental Absence, Well-Being, and Romantic Relationship Processes
Langlais, M. R., Chacón, V., & Brazer, J. H. (2024) · The Family Journal · doi:10.1177/10664807241290515 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Coping Together or Separate: Attachment and Dyadic Coping as Mediators Linking Childhood Maltreatment to Intimate Relationship Quality
Fitzgerald, M., & Shuler, J. (2022) · Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/15332691.2022.2149650 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“…process that extends into adult romantic relationships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987) and research has demonstrated there is continuity between childhood attachment and adult attachment (for review see Sutton, 2019) where approximately 70% of adults have the same attachment style as they did in childhood.”
Background
An Empirical Investigation of the Mediating Role of Customer Attachment in South African Private Hospitals
Spies, H., & Mackay, N. (2020) · Organizacija · doi:10.2478/orga-2020-0022 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“…– Relationship value 0.88* – Fear of relationship loss 0.66* 0.67* - Loyalty 0.87* 0.88* 0.64* - *Large effect size (r ≥ 0.50) relations were below 0.90, diminishing the concern with multicollinearity, which arises at correlations of 0.90 and higher (Tabachnick & Fidell, 2013, p. 90).”
BackgroundInfluential
Inequality in the intergenerational economic mobility in single mother-headed households
Lee, J., & Allen, J. (2022) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106566 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Through a relational lens: reflections about foster care experience in Italian emancipated foster youth
Cardinali, P., Bizzi, F., & Migliorini, L. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1191307 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Furthermore, stable couple relationships in emerging adulthood are considered as frequent outcome for individuals with a secure attachment style (Fagundes and Schindler, 2012) and it might continue to predict security through the life (Sutton, 2019).”
Background
Bereavement guilt among young adults impacted by caregivers’ cancer: Associations with attachment style, experiential avoidance, and psychological flexibility
Stone, M., McDonald, F. E. J., Kangas, M., Sherman, K. A., & Allison, K. R. (2024) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951524000932 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“While attachment style tends to be relatively stable over time (Sutton 2019) and may be difficult to alter (particularly as it relates to attachment to the deceased), understanding bereaved young adults’ attachment styles may help to tailor interventions to better support their individual needs.”
Parent–child emotional availability, children's early emotional reflectivity skills, and social behavior in kindergarten
Sofri, I., Czik, A., & Ziv, Y. (2024) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.13131 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Communication and language in abused and institutionalized minors. A scoping review
Palazón-Carrión, E., & Sala‐Roca, J. (2020) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104904 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Mediating Role of Emotional Neglect and Self-Injurious Behaviors in the Relationship Between Family Satisfaction and Depression
Saleem, S., Karamat, A., Zahra, S. T., Subhan, S., & Mahmood, Z. (2021) · The Family Journal · doi:10.1177/10664807211000725 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Exploring EEG Features for Differentiating Between Secure and Insecure Attachment Styles
Zuckerman, I., Mizrahi, D., & Laufer, I. (2024) · Lecture notes in networks and systems · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-47718-8_29 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Exploring the affective and cognitive dimensions of customer stickiness in deepfake platforms through the theoretical lens of attachment
Patil, K. P., Pramod, D., Bharathi, S. V., & AlSaleh, D. (2025) · International Journal of Information Management Data Insights · doi:10.1016/j.jjimei.2025.100344 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Emotional awareness mediates the relationship between attachment and anxiety symptoms in adolescents
Carapeto, M., & Veiga, G. (2023) · Mental Health & Prevention · doi:10.1016/j.mhp.2023.200269 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Marital Communication during Conflict: A Study on Attachment Dimensions and Interaction Patterns
Malaysia, U. S., Hasim, M. J. M., Mustafa, H., Malaysia, U. S., Hashim, N. H., & Malaya, U. (2023) · Jurnal Komunikasi Malaysian Journal of Communication · doi:10.17576/jkmjc-2023-3901-04 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Buenas prácticas y oportunidades de mejora en el acompañamiento socioeducativo con juventud en protección durante la transición a la vida adulta
Simo, D. F., Fernández, M. V. C., Fernández, X. M. C., & Campos, E. C. (2023) · Revista Complutense de Educación · doi:10.5209/rced.79700 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Risk and Protective Factors for Parental Involvement and Early Indicators of School Achievement in Alaska
Chen, J., Husa, R. A., Jonson‐Reid, M., & Parrish, J. W. (2024) · Maternal and Child Health Journal · doi:10.1007/s10995-023-03872-5 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Thus, caregiver psychological distress may impact parental involvement, which in turn affects child development (Sutton, 2019).”
The Effect of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Techniques Training with lavender Aromatherapy on Depression and Maternal Competence of Nulliparous Women with Insecure Attachment to Spouse
Zameni, E., Shahabizadeh, F., Feriz, J. J., & Ghanbarzadeh, N. (2021) · Avicenna Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Care · doi:10.30699/ajnmc.29.4.314 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The use of (non)exotic leathers by (non)favourite luxury brands: An attachment theory perspective
Park, C. L., & Nunes, M. F. (2025) · Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services · doi:10.1016/j.jretconser.2025.104249 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between mother’s attachment style and offspring’s depression
Manna, G., Costanzo, G., Santis, S. D., & Falgares, G. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02529-2 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Depending on the quality of these experiences, individuals will develop different attachment styles, conceived as patterns of relational expectations, emotions and behaviors, and distinguished into secure and insecure (Ainsworth et al., 1978; Bowlby, 1980; Sutton, 2018 for review).”
Background
Future Study of Psychological Factors Affecting Youth Marriage in 2040: An Iranian Development Perspective
Khalili, Z., Amirfakhraei, A., & Zarei, E. (2022) · Iranian Evolutionary Educational Psychology Journal · doi:10.52547/ieepj.4.2.364 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Perceived Parental Attachment and Psychological Distress Among Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies
Shen, F., & Liu, Y. (2023) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-023-00568-w · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Child Abuse and Neglect and Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Traits: Effects of Attachment, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Metacognition
Gray, E. C., Sweller, N., & Boag, S. (2024) · Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma · doi:10.1007/s40653-024-00644-3 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Hurt people, hurt people? A qualitative study with men who committed homicide
Gonçalves, T., Sousa, B., Oliveira, C., Azevedo, V., & Maia, Â. (2024) · Journal of Crime and Justice · doi:10.1080/0735648x.2024.2400669 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“The absence of secure attachment figures can result in profound difficulties in forming trusting relationships and seeking help during times of need (Sutton 2019).”
A Prospective Study of Maternal Supportiveness among ADHD and non-ADHD Children and Adolescents
Bradley, R. H., Bryce, C. I., Vandell, D. L., & Owen, M. T. (2025) · Child Psychiatry & Human Development · doi:10.1007/s10578-025-01889-1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Can infant carrying prevent disorganized attachment? An intervention trial of adolescent mothers
Rankin, L. A., & Linde-Krieger, L. B. (2025) · Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2025.101918 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Rola nauczyciela wczesnej edukacji w identyfikowaniu i reagowaniu na przejawy przemocy domowej – między prawnym obowiązkiem a odpowiedzialnością moralną
Frankowiak, J. K. (2023) · Problemy Wczesnej Edukacji · doi:10.26881/pwe.2023.56.11 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
‘Attachment is such a core issue’: Therapist perspectives on attachment injuries in marriages in India
Oberoi, N., Desai, G., & Satyanarayana, V. A. (2023) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.12725 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Changing for the worse: The effects of attachment anxiety on perceived self-adulteration
Caselli, A. J., Machia, L. V., & Beauparlant, E. T. (2024) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075241263225 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“That is, they have different attachment styles (Shaver & Mikulincer, 2002; see Sutton, 2019 for review).”
The family as the primary social group
Klein, J. W. (2025) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x24001122 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Identity and Family Formation During Young Adulthood
Waite‐Jones, J. M., & Rodriguez, A. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-88177-0_4 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience Between Adult Attachment Styles and Sexual Functioning in Couples Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Cross-Sectional Study
Gattamelata, A., Benucci, S. B., Coccia, M. E., Fioravanti, G., Zurkirch, V. P., & Moyano, N. (2025) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2025.2605077 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“According to Bowlby, internal working models formed in early caregiving experiences shape expectations and strategies for seeking support and regulating distress in adulthood (Burke et al., 2016; Cassidy et al., 2013; Sutton, 2019).”
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Empowering Saudi Arabian women through the Internet of Things (IoT) for management technologies’ companies
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“Although attachment security has been seen as a stable trait characteristic of individuals in early attachment research (for a review, see Sutton, 2019), Fraley and coworkers, among others, have shown that attachment security is not stable throughout different developmental phases during the…”

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Authors: Sutton, T. E.
Affiliations: University of Georgia (US)
Corresponding author: Sutton, Tara E.
ORCID: Sutton, Tara E.
Venue: Marriage & Family Review
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2018-04-27
Volume: 55
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-22
ISSN: 0149-4929 (ISSN-L)
1540-9635
DOI: 10.1080/01494929.2018.1458001
OpenAlex: W2800406694
Cited by: 87
References: 100
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1
FWCI: 8.12
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Marriage & Family Review (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords: attachment theory, attachment measurement, domestic violence, parental depression, parental divorce, attachment stability, emotion regulation, psychopathology, romantic relationships, family of origin, parent-child relationship, life course

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Review of Attachment Theory: Familial Predictors, Continuity and Change, and Intrapersonal and Relational Outcomes

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