Attachment in adults with high-functioning autism
Abstract
This study assessed attachment security in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; George, Kaplan, & Main, 1996). Of 20 participants, three were classified as securely attached, the same proportion as would be expected in a general clinical sample. Participants' AAIs were less coherent and lower in reflective function than those of controls, who were matched for attachment status and mood disorder. A parallel interview suggested that some aspects of participants' responses were influenced by their general discourse style, while other AAI scale scores appeared to reflect their state of mind with respect to attachment more specifically. There was little evidence that attachment security was related to IQ, autistic symptomatology or theory of mind. This study suggests that adults with autism can engage with the AAI and produce scoreable narratives of their attachment experiences, and a minority demonstrate secure attachment.
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Other studies showed more insecure attachment toward parents or romantic partners in unmarried or married adults with ASD.
“as well as by other studies showing more insecure attachment toward parents or romantic partners in unmarried [43] or married adults with ASD [44], respectively.”
From Behavioral effects of multiple-dose oxytocin treatment in autism: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with long-term follow-up (2020) · cites this paper as [43]
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- Authors
- Taylor, E. L., Target, M., & Charman, T.
- Affiliations
- Mile End Hospital (GB)
- Anna Freud Centre (GB)
- University College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Taylor, Emma L.
- Venue
- Attachment & Human Development
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2008-06
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 143-163
- ISSN
- 1461-6734 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-2988
- OpenAlex
- W2040934863
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Attachment & Human Development (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- IOE EPrints (submittedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- University College London
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- attachment security, high-functioning autism, autism spectrum disorder, Adult Attachment Interview, reflective functioning, discourse style, secure attachment, theory of mind, IQ, autistic symptomatology
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Object Attachment, Asperger Syndrome, Young Adult
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