Attachment relationships in old age

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2936097
AutoresVictor G Cicirelli (Purdue University, USA,, autor de correspondencia)
Año2010
Volumen27
Número2
Páginas191-199
Fecha de publicación2010-03-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407509360984
OpenAlexW2130366990
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas21
Referencias citadas12

There is still relatively little known about attachment relationships late in life. This study investigated changes in number and identities of attachment figures in older adults' support networks. Participants were 80 married and widowed men and women aged 60-99 (M = 77.8). Each identified attachment figures for proximity seeking, secure base, and safe haven functions, ranked in importance; the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991) assessed attachment styles. Elders had smaller attachment networks than reported for younger adults; women and the married had larger networks (p < .05). The nature and identities of attachment figures changed from those of earlier adult life to adult children, deceased loved ones, and God. Elders had fewer full-blown attachments but a greater variety of attachment figures. The widowed had a greater proportion of dismissive attachment styles. The results suggest that attachment figures are needed for maximum adaptation in old age

Attachment measures · Attachment theory · Developmental psychology · Haven · Insecure attachment · Safe haven · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology