Evaluation

• Research support

  One strength of the research into attachment and later relationships is supporting evidence:

  • Early attachment constantly predicts later attachment, emotional wellbeing and attachment to own children
  • Disorganised attachment is strongly associated with later mental disorder
  • Therefore, secure attachment as a baby conveys advantages for future development while disorganised attachment appears to seriously disadvantage children
• Counterpoint to research support

  Not all evidence supports the existence of close links between early attachment and later development:

  • For example the Regensburg longitudinal study (Becker-Stoll et al. 2008) followed 43 individuals from one year of age. At age 16 attachment was assessed using the adult attachment interview
  • No evidence of continuity
  • Therefore it is not clear to what extent the quality of early attachment really predicts later development.
  • There may be other important factors.
• Validity issues with retrospective studies

  One limitation of most research into the influence of attachment is that early attachment is assessed retrospectively:

  • Most research on the link between early attachment and later development aren't longitudinal
  • Researchers usually ask adult participants questions about their relationship with parents, and identify attachment type from this
  • This relies on the honesty and accurate perception of participants
  • It is hard to know whether what is being assessed is early attachment or adult attachment
• Confounding variables

  A limitation of studies into the influence of early attachment on laterdevelopment is the existence of confounding variables:

  • For example, parenting style may influence both attachment quality and later development
  • Alternatively genetically-influenced personality may be an influence on both factors.
  • This means that we can never be entirely sure that it is early attachment and notsome other factor that is influencing later development.