Latin American Attachment studies: A narrative review

Abstract

Attachment theory´s core hypotheses (universality, normativity, sensitivity, and competence) are assumed to be applicable worldwide. However, the majority of studies on attachment theory have been conducted in Western countries, and the extent to which these core hypotheses are supported by research conducted in Latin America has never been systematically addressed. The purpose of this systematic narrative literature review is to provide an integrative discussion of the current body of empirical studies concerning attachment theory conducted in Latin American countries. For that purpose, a search was conducted in four electronic databases (Web of Science, PsycInfo, SciELO, and Redalyc) and 82 publications on attachment and/or sensitivity met inclusion criteria. None of the studies reported cases in which an attachment relationship was absent, and a predominance of secure attachment patterns was found, mainly for non‐risk samples (NRS). Sensitivity levels were generally deemed adequate in NRS, and related to attachment quality. Attachment security and caregivers’ sensitivity were positively associated with child outcomes. Attachment‐based intervention studies mostly showed efficacy. In conclusion, Latin American research supports the key theoretical assumptions of attachment theory, mainly in samples of urban middle‐class NRS. However, the field of attachment‐related research would be enriched by also investing in Latin American studies on caregiving rooted in local concepts and theories.

Attachment in the Context of Early Years Pedagogical Practice: Early Childhood Educator and Director Insights

“…This is particularly relevant when the child uses the adult as a secure base to explore in times of safety, and a safe haven when stressed (Ali et al, 2021;Bowlby, 1969;Polkovnikova-Wamoto et al, 2016). Mostly investigated in child/mother dyads (Dagan & Sagi-Schwartz, 2018;Fourment et al, 2022), and more recently child/father dyads (Bureau et al, 2017;Cabrera, 2020), attachment research is important given that approximately 40% of North American children possess insecure working models in parental relationships (Beetz et al, 2012;Spruit et at., 2020;Van IJzendoorn et al, 1999). Furthermore, children's early relational encounters with their attachment figure(s) informs conceptions about themselves, others, and how they cope with their feelings across the lifespan (Colmer et al, 2011;Erozkan, 2016;Spruit et al, 2020).…”