Attachment comes of age: adolescents’ narrative coherence and reflective functioning predict well-being in emerging adulthood

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of adolescents' attachment security and reflective functioning (RF) (assessed by the adult attachment interview [AAI]) in the prediction of well-being in adulthood. Adolescents (N = 79; M = 14.6 years old; SD = 3.5 years) completed the AAI at Time 1 (T1), which was subsequently coded for inferred attachment experiences, narrative coherence, and RF by three nonoverlapping teams of raters. Participants completed the Psychological General Well-being Index at T1 and 8 years later (Time 2, T2). Analyses showed that (a) both adolescent narrative coherence and RF were significant predictors of almost all indices of well-being at T2 in adulthood; (b) both narrative coherence and RF indirectly linked inferred loving parental care and T2 well-being; (c) when included in the same model, RF was a significant indirect effect linking inferred loving parental care and T2 well-being. These findings contribute to theory in suggesting that both RF and narrative coherence are predictive of subsequent psychological well-being and operate as links between inferred parental care and subsequent adjustment. Possible mechanisms underlying these findings are discussed.

Self-reported reflective functioning mediates the association between attachment insecurity and well-being among psychotherapists

“…The results related to our second hypothesis replicated the finding from studies of community samples that certainty in reflective functioning has a direct and significant effect on well-being (Borelli et al, 2018;Fonagy et al, 2016). However, we did not find that uncertainty in reflective functioning was associated with well-being.…”

“…These associations may explain how and why higher reflective functioning may contribute to greater well-being (Borelli et al, 2018).…”

“…However, the role of these variables as predictors of well-being among psychotherapists is still under-investigated. According to the attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969), the quality of early interactions with caregivers leads to development of secure or insecure attachment that in turn may be characterized by two main dimensions, namely attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998;Tasca et al, 2018). Individuals with higher attachment avoidance tend to establish and maintain independence, control and autonomy, as well as deactivate emotions and limit emotional experiences during their life and in romantic relationships (Cassidy & Kobak, 1988;Mikulincer & Shaver, 2016;Simpson & Rholes, 2018).…”

“…Mentalizing capacity is also associated with greater well-being during the entire lifespan (Borelli et al, 2018;Fonagy, Gergely, Jurist, & Target, 2002;Fonagy et al, 2016).…”

Young People’s Autonomy and Psychological Well-Being in the Transition to Adulthood: A Pathway Analysis

“…The lower levels of psychological well-being observed among these participants may be linked to their sense of lack of control over their lives and a more external locus of control, among other factors (Król et al, 2019). Others have observed that attachment strength in relationships is a predictor of well-being in adults (Borelli et al, 2018). This factor may help explain why socially disadvantaged youths, those whose family relationships may not have contributed to the formation of secure attachments, score the lowest on the well-being scale.…”