cultural variations in attachment

• Meta-analysis


  Combining results from multiple studies for insights.
• Cultural variations


  Differences in attachment styles across cultures.
• VAN IJZENDOORN AND KROONENBERG

  - included secure, insecure avoidant and resistant participants across a range of countries

  - they looked at the differences within the same countries to get an idea of variations on culture

  - 32 studies of attachment where strange situation was used, 8 countries and 15 in the USA

  - yield of 1990 children in total

  - data was meta-analysed

  - secure attachment was the most common classification in all countries but ranged from 50% in China, 75% in Britain

  - in individualist cultures rates of insecure-resistant attachment was similar to Ainsworth (under 14%), but this wasn't the case with collectivists samples from China, Japan and Israel, where rates were above 25%

  - cultural differences in distribution of insecure attachment

  - variation of results IN the same country = 150% more than BETWEEN countries

  - in USA 46% securely attached, compared to one sample as high as 90%


  SIMONELLI STUDY

  - assessed 76 12month old babies using the strange situations to see if the proportion of attachment types still matched previous studies

  - mums were reasonably varied in terms of education levels, (57% uni degree, 40% high school, 2% didn't finish high school)

  Their professions (48% employees, 13% professionals, 39% didn't work/worked part time)

  - 50% was secure, 36% avoidant, lower rate of secure attachment than prev

  - researchers suggested it was due to incr of mums working and using childcare

  - cultural differences make massive differences in patterns of attachment
• STRENGTHS OF KROONENBERG AND SIMONELLI

  + Meta-analysis is when you end up with large samples

  LIMITATIONS OF KROONENBERG AND SIMONELLI

  - cofounding variables, studies conducted in other countries may not be matched for sample characteristics (age)

  Environmental variables may also differ so data may not be accurate

  - test was designed in one culture, eg: in America lack of affection shows insecure attachment, however in germany it shows a sign of independence.

  this means comparing results ay be meaningless
• Sample size in kroonenberg study

  1,990 children analyzed in Van IJzendoorn's study.
• Individualist cultures kroonenberg


  Cultures emphasizing personal independence and self-reliance.
• Collectivist cultures kroonenberg


  Cultures prioritizing group harmony over individualism.
• Findings in China kroonenberg

  50% secure attachment rate observed in studies.
• Findings in Britain kroonenberg

  75% secure attachment rate reported in studies.
• Strange Situation kroonenberg definition

  A procedure to assess attachment styles in children.
• Simiorelli (2014)


  Study investigating attachment styles in Italian children.
• Attachment classification definition, Simiorelli

  Categories used to describe types of attachment.
• Emotional bond in simiorelli, definition


  A connection characterized by affection and trust.
• Attachment rates in simiorelli, definition

  Percentage of children classified under each attachment type.
• Cultural context in simiorelli, definition

  The environment influencing attachment behaviors and styles.
• Sample diversity in simiorelli, definition


  Variety of participants across different cultural backgrounds.
• Findings in Japan

  Attachment styles similar to those in collectivist cultures.
• Findings in Israel


  Attachment patterns reflecting unique cultural practices.
• Research implications


  Insights gained from studies influencing attachment theory.
• Childcare practices


  Parental behaviors impacting children's attachment styles.