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Behavioral Sciences
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The Role of Attachment Behavior and Relationships in Lifespan Development
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The Role of Attachment Behavior and Relationships in Lifespan Development

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 6238

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Catarina Pinheiro Mota

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Center for Psychology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Interests: attachment; family relations; psychosocial adaptations; resilience; emotional regulation; residential care context; psychotherapy; adolescents; young people
Dr. Inês Carvalho Relva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Education and Psychology, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE), Center for Psychology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Interests: conflict in families; sibling violence; bullying; cyberbullying; cyber dating abuse; internet addiction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mónica Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portuga
2. Center for Psychology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Interests: topics of relational dynamics; attachment and cognitive-emotional processes in different contexts and stages of development (e.g., family, residential care, and transition into adulthood)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Considering the attachment theory approach and an ecological perspective, this Special Issue intends to discuss the relevance of risk and protective factors for psychosocial adjustment throughout life. Discontinued emotional experiences and maladaptive processes in life transitions from childhood to adulthood can hinder adaptive development. The quality of relationships with parents or other significant figures (e.g., peers, siblings, teachers, and caregivers), regardless of family configuration, is an important pointer of mental health, helping to cope with difficulties and fostering the development of emotional regulation as well as resilience. Affective support enhances the development of autonomy and is significantly related to the sense of agency that characterizes personal development. Gender differences have been pointed out, but the literature is controversial on psychosocial adjustment processes. Papers must be based on studies that may include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, quantitative and/or qualitative research, prevalence studies, comparative studies, and those that are clinical or evidence-based in different scientific areas of studies.

Dr. Catarina Pinheiro Mota
Dr. Inês Carvalho Relva
Dr. Mónica Costa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • attachment
  • family
  • caregivers
  • relationships
  • psychological adjustment
  • emotional regulation
  • resilience
  • mental health
  • agency
  • autonomy

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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20 pages, 803 KiB  
Article
Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Risk-Taking: Attachment Avoidance as a Linking Mechanism
by Jacqueline Woerner, Catalina Kopetz and Ximena Arriaga
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020239 - 19 Feb 2025
Viewed by 728
Abstract
Why might women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) become more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior? Women’s interest in casual sex may satisfy relational expectations and connection needs, while avoiding the types of close attachments that previously were violent. Specifically, attachment [...] Read more.
Why might women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) become more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior? Women’s interest in casual sex may satisfy relational expectations and connection needs, while avoiding the types of close attachments that previously were violent. Specifically, attachment avoidance was tested as a mechanism linking IPV victimization and risky sexual behavior. Women who experienced (vs. did not experience) partner violence reported higher rates of risky sexual behavior, and this association was mediated by attachment avoidance (Study 1, N = 312; age range 18–58 years, M = 28). Making IPV salient via an experimental manipulation caused more avoidant perceptions (Study 2, N = 140; age range 19–57 years, M = 31), and inducing an avoidant mindset via an experimental manipulation caused greater sexual interest (Study 3, N = 128; age range 19–66 years, M = 33). These findings suggest that IPV disrupts expectations of security and reinforces a manner of connecting with partners that leads to risky sexual encounters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Attachment Behavior and Relationships in Lifespan Development)
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15 pages, 292 KiB  
Article
Temperament Characteristics of Children in Residential Care and Perceived Acceptance/Rejection and Style of Discipline Used by Care Workers
by Sabina D. Gaitán, Joanna Fernández-Sánchez, Francisco Javier Fernández-Baena, Agustín Wallace and María D. Salas
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121239 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 688
Abstract
The ability to adapt interpersonal interactions to temperamental characteristics is essential for high-quality care. We analyzed how temperamental and self-regulation differences among children in residential care were related to the affective relationships and discipline styles of their caregivers. A total of 144 children [...] Read more.
The ability to adapt interpersonal interactions to temperamental characteristics is essential for high-quality care. We analyzed how temperamental and self-regulation differences among children in residential care were related to the affective relationships and discipline styles of their caregivers. A total of 144 children aged 9–16 years (42.6% boys) and their caregivers from 22 residential care homes (Spain) participated. The Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R) was used to assess temperament, the Affect Scale and Rules and Demands Scale was used to assess children’s perceptions of affective relationships and discipline styles among their caregivers, and BRIEF-2 was used to assess children’s self-regulation. Perceived warmth/communication was significantly higher than criticism/rejection and children perceived more inductive than rigid or permissive styles. Temperamental-scale fear was positively related to warmth/communication and an inductive style, and negatively related to criticism/rejection and a rigid style, whereas high-intensity pleasure showed the opposite pattern. In addition, some self-regulation and temperament scales explained 26% of the perception of warmth/communication, while others explained 15% of the variability of the rigid discipline style used by care workers. These results can help care workers to adjust their educational strategies according to the temperamental characteristics of this specific population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Attachment Behavior and Relationships in Lifespan Development)
20 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
Exploring Attachment Differences Across the Contexts of Sports and Academics: A Qualitative Exploration of Child and Parent Experiences
by Sheng-I Chang and Ya-Hsin Lai
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1153; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121153 - 2 Dec 2024
Viewed by 947
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the nature of contextual differences in child–parent attachment relationships and examine how these experiences relate to children’s psychological outcomes. A theoretically informed qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 15 participants across four groups of Taiwanese youths [...] Read more.
This study aimed to explore the nature of contextual differences in child–parent attachment relationships and examine how these experiences relate to children’s psychological outcomes. A theoretically informed qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 15 participants across four groups of Taiwanese youths and parents, representing different contextual attachment combinations. Data were analyzed using a hybrid thematic analysis approach, integrating both inductive and deductive methods. The findings revealed two key characteristics of secure attachment across contexts: (1) parental timely and sensitive responsiveness enhances children’s openness to share personal thoughts, and (2) parental empathic and genuine concern fosters children’s empathy. Conversely, insecure attachment across contexts was marked by (1) inappropriate parental responses reducing children’s willingness to share their inner feelings, and (2) parental lack of empathy frustrating children and discouraging communication. In addition, parental beliefs about children’s achievement behaviors (e.g., expectation primarily centered on academic achievement and viewing athletic achievement as an alternative pathway to higher education) and parenting practices (e.g., performance- vs. mastery-oriented achievement goals, conditional negative regard, and psychological control through invalidating feelings and demeaning the child) significantly influenced children’s psychological outcomes, particularly in terms of basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration (autonomy and competence) across academic and sports domains. These findings advance our theoretical understanding of contextual attachment dynamics and provide practical insights for fostering optimal parenting strategies, particularly in academic and sport-related contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Attachment Behavior and Relationships in Lifespan Development)
17 pages, 484 KiB  
Article
Family Support, Resilience, and Life Goals of Young People in Residential Care
by Cristina Peixoto Alves, Inês Carvalho Relva, Mónica Costa and Catarina Pinheiro Mota
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070581 - 9 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2245
Abstract
Establishing goals for young people in residential care (RC) is a gap in the literature, especially in terms of the relationship between family support and resilience. The literature suggests that RC is associated with the breakdown of family relationships, so the possibility of [...] Read more.
Establishing goals for young people in residential care (RC) is a gap in the literature, especially in terms of the relationship between family support and resilience. The literature suggests that RC is associated with the breakdown of family relationships, so the possibility of the family playing a positive role in establishing life goals for young people is reduced. However, family support in the context of organization and stability can be assumed to be a protective factor for the formulation of life goals and contribute to the resilient development of young people. This study aimed to analyze the role of family support in the process of setting goals for young people in RC, as well as to analyze the potential mediating role of resilience in the previous association. The sample included 124 young people aged between 12 and 23 years living in RC. The results point to a positive association between family support (autonomy) and the planning of life goals and verify the total mediating effect of resilience in this association. The results are discussed considering attachment theory and the role of the family in the adaptive development of young people. This study’s findings provide important indications for developing future interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Attachment Behavior and Relationships in Lifespan Development)
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9 pages, 711 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Need for Better Attachment Bonds Between Institutional Caregivers and Children in Residential Care: A Systematic Review
by María-Jesús Martínez-Usarralde, Raquel Conchell, Mónica Villar and Lucía Pérez-Tabernero
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030245 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 721
Abstract
Attachment is an emotional bond based on the first relationships formed between people. In the case of institutionalized children, it is more difficult to establish a secure attachment bond with an adult. The figure of the institutional caregiver is key to promoting secure [...] Read more.
Attachment is an emotional bond based on the first relationships formed between people. In the case of institutionalized children, it is more difficult to establish a secure attachment bond with an adult. The figure of the institutional caregiver is key to promoting secure attachment and emotional support for these vulnerable children. This paper examines children in residential care (0–17 years), their relationship with attachment, and the figure of the institutional caregiver in relation to attachment. We conduct a systematic review of the scientific literature (SLR) carried out using the PRISMA method. The results suggest that institutionalized children are more likely to have behavioral problems because of the type of attachment they develop, and that institutional caregivers mediate attachment through their competence. In conclusion, institutional caregivers are an essential support figure in the life of residential care centers; because of this, these professionals must have adequate working conditions and receive ongoing training and support. Also, it would be necessary to analyze the appropriate skills of institutional caregivers to make appropriate intervention with the minors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Attachment Behavior and Relationships in Lifespan Development)
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