Change in attachment predicts change in emotion regulation particularly among 5-HTTLPR short-allele homozygotes.

Abstract

In view of the theory that the attachment relationship provides a foundation for the development of emotion regulation, here, we evaluated (a) whether change in attachment security from 4 to 6 years predicts change in emotion regulation from 6 to 8 years and (b) whether 5-HTTLPR moderates this relation in a Norwegian community sample (n ϭ 678, 99.7% Caucasian). Attachment was measured with the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task, and teachers completed the Emotion Regulation Checklist. Attachment security was modestly stable, with children becoming more secure over time. Regression analyses revealed that increased attachment security from 4 to 6 forecasted increases in emotion regulation from 6 to 8 and decreased attachment security forecasted decreases in emotion regulation. This effect was strongest among the 5-HTTLPR short-allele homozygotes and, according to competitive model fitting, in a differential-susceptibility manner.

Cortisol secretion moderates the association between mother–infant attachment at 17 months and child behavior at age 5 years

“…In regard to the current variables of interest, previous studies have shown differential susceptibility effects with attachment as an index of environmental quality (Bakermans‐Kranenburg & van IJzendoorn, ; Borelli et al, ; Conradt et al, ; Fong et al, ; Gilissen, Bakermans‐Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, & van der Veer, ; Viddal, Berg‐Nielsen, Belsky, & Wichstrom, ). For example, Gilissen et al () found that more (relative to less) temperamentally fearful children showed the highest skin conductance reactivity to a fearful film clip in the context of a nonsecure attachment relationship (assessed with an Attachment Story Completion Task) and the lowest skin conductance reactivity in the context of a secure attachment relationship.…”

Disentangling genes, attachment, and environment: A systematic review of the developmental psychopathology literature on gene–environment interactions and attachment

“…The results from Humphreys et al (2015) also showed a significant association between children with the 5HTTLPR short (s/s) allele and secure attachment exhibiting less negative externalized behaviors. Finally, further support for this model comes from Viddal et al (2017), who reported that children with the 5HTTLPR short (s/s) allele and secure attachment at 4 to 6 years were more likely to exhibit increased emotion regulation from 6 to 8 years.…”

“…The Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment Project (Canada) was sampled for 2 studies; Graffi et al, 2015;Graffi et al, 2018with data collected between 2003 and Zimmerman et al (2009) both used data collected from the Regensburg Longitudinal Study (Germany), with longitudinal data collected between 1974 and 2005. Two studies used a sample population from the Trondheim Early Secure Study (Norway): Hygen et al (2014) and Viddal et al (2017), using data collected between 2007 and 2011. The Budapest Infant Parent Study (Hungary) was used across 3 studies: Gervai et al (2005), Lakatos et al (2000), and Lakatos et al (2002).…”

“…The LCAI comprises a semistructured interview in which the children have the opportunity to discuss their feelings of attachment to their caregivers, which can then be attributed to attachment representations (Zimmerman et al, 2009) Attachment was categorized using a number of validated approaches. A continuous measure of attachment security was employed by 6 studies (Bakermans-Kranenburg et al, 2011;Humphreys et al, 2015;Leerkes et al, 2017;Luijk, Tharner, et al, 2011;Pappa et al, 2015;and Viddal et al, 2017). Zimmerman et al (2009) used the "attachment behaviour strategy scale" in line with the LCAI designed for adolescents.…”

“…Furthermore, given the established importance of maternal sensitivity in attachment organization, this was measured in 12 studies. A further 7 studies (Borelli et al, 2017;Humphreys et al, 2015;Hygen et al, 2014;Kochanska et al, 2009;Li et al, 2016;Viddal et al, 2017;Zimmerman et al, 2009) identified the attachment status between child and caregiver as the candidate environmental factor, observing the interplay between genetic marker and attachment to moderate externalized behaviors. Three studies (Gervai et al, 2005;Lakatos et al, 2000Lakatos et al, , 2002 included within the review did not identify environmental factors, reporting only on candidate gene associations with attachment.…”