A 5 page research paper that examines empirical research relative to the affect of avoidant attachment on female behavior in later life. This examination of empirical research focuses on the possible connection between avoidant attachment in infancy and early childhood and depression for women in later life. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Name of Research Paper File: D0_khavoat.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
or her perception of the social world (Finzi, et al, 2003). There is considerable empirical evidence that early attachment, or lack of sufficient parental-attachment, can predispose an individual to depression,
beginning in childhood and continuing into later life. The following examination of empirical research focuses on the possible connection between avoidant attachment in infancy and early childhood and depression for
women in later life. There is surprisingly little research readily available that specifically deals with the experiences of girls and women in regards to avoidant attachment and depression; but some
relevant observations can be deduced from the following studies. Attachment style is an "individual-difference variable" that is founded in a childs experiences in early life, and provides the "context
for later emotional, behavioral and cognitive transactions with the environment" (Finzi, et al, 2001, p. 769). In an attachment study involving children, Finzi, et al (2001) found that there was
a significant correlation between neglected children and the "anxious/ambivalent" attachment style (p. 769). The children who could be characterized as having a "secure" attachment style were low in regards to
their experience of depression, anxiety and aggression; however, the children in the study who exhibited an avoidant attachment style were high depression and anxiety (Frinzi, et al, 2001). As this
demonstrates the connection between avoidant attachment and depression is often evidence in childhood. Herring and Kaslow (2002)assert that it is the emotional ties that exist between family members that
provide individual with the keys to healthy psychological development and functioning and that this occurs through the establishment of secure attachment bonds. Through a caregivers behavior that is "consistent, empathic
and supportive" when a child is in distress, the child internalizes the message that the emotional needs will be met and the world is a welcoming place (Herring and Kaslow,