Similarities and Differences in Attachment Representations Between Late-Adopted and Non-Adopted Adolescents: A Study from Italy

This chapter reports on a research study that examines attachment for late-placed adopted adolescents (n = 49, average age at placement = 5.3 years) and a matched group of adolescents (n = 49) who were not adopted. Attachment theory as well as specific aspects of attachment theory are discussed in this study. The Friends and Family Interview, the Verbal Comprehension Index of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, IV version, and a sociodemographic questionnaire created for the project were used to gather data from the interviewees. Results indicated no differences between late-placed adoptees and non-adopted Italian participants overall in attachment classifications. However, late-placed adopted adolescents had significant lower scores in specific dimensions of attachment. Implications for intervention and future inquiry are discussed.