Attachment in old age: Theoretical assumptions, empirical findings and implications for clinical practice

Assche, Leen Van; Luyten, Patrick; Bruffærts, Ronny; Persoons, Philippe; Ven, Lucas Van de; Vandenbulcke, Mathieu

doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.10.003

Cited by 63 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 133 publications

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“…Preoccupation with a need to provide protection and support may cause heightened levels of distress [45] and so result in a reduced quality of life. In contrast, the greater support networks associated with assistance dog ownership [36,37] may buffer these owners from such tendencies [49]. Another possible explanation is that the degree of anxious attachment shown by the assistance dog owners reflects the degree to which the assistance dog supports the individual to lead a fulfilling and independent life (i.e., greater quality of life).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attachment Style Is Related to Quality of Life for Assistance Dog Owners

White

Mills

Hall

2017

IJERPH

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Attachment styles have been shown to affect quality of life. Growing interest in the value of companion animals highlights that owning a dog can also affect quality of life, yet little research has explored the role of the attachment bond in affecting the relationship between dog ownership and quality of life. Given that the impact of dog ownership on quality of life may be greater for assistance dog owners than pet dog owners, we explored how anxious attachment and avoidance attachment styles to an assistance dog affected owner quality of life (n = 73). Regression analysis revealed that higher anxious attachment to the dog predicted enhanced quality of life. It is suggested that the unique, interdependent relationship between an individual and their assistance dog may mean that an anxious attachment style is not necessarily detrimental. Feelings that indicate attachment insecurity in other relationships may reflect more positive aspects of the assistance dog owner relationship, such as the level of support that the dog provides its owner.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attachment Style Is Related to Quality of Life for Assistance Dog Owners

White

Mills

Hall

2017

IJERPH

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“…Attachment relationships involve provision of support and protection for children as well as seeking to aid the offspring in the face of threat. An underlying assumption about attachment across the life span is that seeking and providing security are activities continued beyond childhood (Merz, Schuengel, & Schulze, 2007; Van Assche et al, 2013). Except in rare cases where there is an absence of attachment, problems affecting any child may diminish parental well-being, regardless of favoritism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adult Children’s Problems and Mothers’ Well-Being

et al. 2016

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This article explores whether understanding of the effects of children’s problems on older parents’ well-being can be advanced by exploring differences in parent–child relationships within families. Using data from a study in which mothers reported on all adult children, we addressed the question: Do patterns of maternal favoritism moderate the impact of children’s problems on psychological well-being? Based on the literature on the effects of children’s problems and on parental favoritism, we hypothesized that problems in the lives of favored adult children will have a more detrimental impact than when they affect unfavored offspring. Results revealed strong and detrimental effects of any offspring’s problems on mothers’ well-being; these effects occurred, however, regardless of parental preference for an adult child. The findings suggest that the well-documented effects of parental preference may be limited in domains such as problems and difficult transitions in adult children’s lives.

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“…An alternative explanation would be that avoidance becomes more prominent in older age (Van Assche et al. ). However, larger longitudinal as well as carefully designed cross‐sectional studies in a less guided environment such as private practice are needed to answer this question.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%