Introduction. Attachment theory has highlighted the relationship between attachment and the quality of couple’s relationship, whose dyadic adjustment is considered an important marker (Feneey, 2009; Santona, Zavattini, 2007). Therefore, this theory has stressed the influence of infant’s experiences with the caregiver on the representations related to the current relationship with partner (Cowan et al., 2009; McCarthy, Maughan, 2010) for their impact on parental style and children’s later adjustment. In line with these considerations, the assessment of the characteristics of parents seeking to adopt can be really important both at individual and dyadic level (Steele et al. 2003; Steele et al., 2007). The aim of this study is to assess the matching of the states of mind with respect to attachment to caregiver and partner in childless couples seeking to adopt, comparing them with couples similar for socio-demographic characteristics. Method. Participants: 39 infertile and childless couples (age: men M=39.92, SD=3.45; women M=39.10, SD=3.27), in the pre-adoption assessment, without any children previously adopted and 39 non-adoptive couples, drawn from the general population. The two groups do not differ significantly with respect to age. Measures: Adult Attachment Interview (AAI, George, Kaplan & Main, 1985), semi-structured interview which assesses attachment representations with respect to infancy; Current Relationship Interview (CRI, Crowell & Owens, 1996), semi-structured interview which assesses the state of mind with respect to the attachment in adult romantic relationships; Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised (ECR-R, Fraley et al., 2000), self-report for feelings and behavior related to adult attachment; Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS, Spanier, 1979, 2000), self-report for couple adjustment. Results. Comparison of the AAI matching classifications has highlighted no statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ² exact test=5.393, p=.801). On the contrary, in the CRI a prevalence of secure-secure matching in seeking to adopt parents, higher than the control group (χ² exact test=11.535 p=.029), has been highlighted. Moreover, the adoptive group has shown a higher percentage of secure-secure style matching in the ECR-R compared to the control group (χ² exact test=29.219 p<.000). Therefore, couples seeking to adopt show a prevalence of matching with High Dyadic Adjustment compared to the control group (χ² exact test=32.311 p<.000). Discussion. Results show a prevalence of secure matching in partners seeking to adopt and higher levels of dyadic adjustment, except for infant attachment. These findings highlight the presence of positive personal characteristics, as the ability to communicate and to share, a positive self-concept and a good level of mutual knowledge, related to a high level of dyadic satisfaction.

The profile of seeking to adopt couples: Assessing the Generalized and Specific Attachment

Di Folco S.;PACE, CECILIA SERENA;
2013-01-01

Abstract

Introduction. Attachment theory has highlighted the relationship between attachment and the quality of couple’s relationship, whose dyadic adjustment is considered an important marker (Feneey, 2009; Santona, Zavattini, 2007). Therefore, this theory has stressed the influence of infant’s experiences with the caregiver on the representations related to the current relationship with partner (Cowan et al., 2009; McCarthy, Maughan, 2010) for their impact on parental style and children’s later adjustment. In line with these considerations, the assessment of the characteristics of parents seeking to adopt can be really important both at individual and dyadic level (Steele et al. 2003; Steele et al., 2007). The aim of this study is to assess the matching of the states of mind with respect to attachment to caregiver and partner in childless couples seeking to adopt, comparing them with couples similar for socio-demographic characteristics. Method. Participants: 39 infertile and childless couples (age: men M=39.92, SD=3.45; women M=39.10, SD=3.27), in the pre-adoption assessment, without any children previously adopted and 39 non-adoptive couples, drawn from the general population. The two groups do not differ significantly with respect to age. Measures: Adult Attachment Interview (AAI, George, Kaplan & Main, 1985), semi-structured interview which assesses attachment representations with respect to infancy; Current Relationship Interview (CRI, Crowell & Owens, 1996), semi-structured interview which assesses the state of mind with respect to the attachment in adult romantic relationships; Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised (ECR-R, Fraley et al., 2000), self-report for feelings and behavior related to adult attachment; Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS, Spanier, 1979, 2000), self-report for couple adjustment. Results. Comparison of the AAI matching classifications has highlighted no statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ² exact test=5.393, p=.801). On the contrary, in the CRI a prevalence of secure-secure matching in seeking to adopt parents, higher than the control group (χ² exact test=11.535 p=.029), has been highlighted. Moreover, the adoptive group has shown a higher percentage of secure-secure style matching in the ECR-R compared to the control group (χ² exact test=29.219 p<.000). Therefore, couples seeking to adopt show a prevalence of matching with High Dyadic Adjustment compared to the control group (χ² exact test=32.311 p<.000). Discussion. Results show a prevalence of secure matching in partners seeking to adopt and higher levels of dyadic adjustment, except for infant attachment. These findings highlight the presence of positive personal characteristics, as the ability to communicate and to share, a positive self-concept and a good level of mutual knowledge, related to a high level of dyadic satisfaction.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/630983
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