The significance of insecure and disorganized attachment for children's internalizing symptoms: a meta-analytic study

Child Dev. 2012 Mar-Apr;83(2):591-610. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01711.x. Epub 2012 Jan 11.

Abstract

This meta-analytic review examines the association between attachment and internalizing symptomatology during childhood, and compares the strength of this association with that for externalizing symptomatology. Based on 42 independent samples (N = 4,614), the association between insecurity and internalizing symptoms was small, yet significant (d = 0.15, CI 0.06~0.25) and not moderated by assessment age of internalizing problems. Avoidance, but not resistance (d = 0.03, CI -0.11~0.17) or disorganization (d = 0.08, CI -0.06~0.22), was significantly associated with internalizing symptoms (d = 0.17, CI 0.03~0.31). Insecurity and disorganization were more strongly associated with externalizing than internalizing symptoms. Discussion focuses on the significance of attachment for the development of internalizing versus externalizing symptomatology.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Age Factors
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Defense Mechanisms
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Male
  • Personality Assessment
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis
  • Personality Disorders / psychology
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder / diagnosis
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder / psychology*
  • Social Behavior Disorders / diagnosis
  • Social Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Somatoform Disorders / diagnosis
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology
  • Statistics as Topic