Longitudinal attachment development from infancy through adolescence

Continuity and change of attachment during the life span and factors influencing these processes are central topics of attachment research. In two longitudinal studies attachment development from infancy to adolescence has been studied from a differentiated perspective of homotypic and heterotypic continuity. In the bielefeld longitudinal study attachment measures were assessed in infancy (strange situation) to both mother and father, at age ten (attachment interview) and at age 16 (Adult Attachment Interview). In addition risk factors influencing family interaction have been assessed. In the Regensburg longitudinal study attachment measures in infancy (strange situation) with both parents, in childhood with mother (reunion), and again aat age 16 (AAI) were assessed. In addition again risk factors and adolescents interactive behaviors in a planning task with their mothers were assessed. The results for both studies revealed no significant concordance between strange situation to both parents and adolescents' AAIs independent of the classification method for the AAI. Familial risk factors were related to discontinuity and insecure attachment representation however differently in each study. In general the studies reveal continuity at the behavioral/procedural and at the representational/declarative level but not between the two modes of assessment of attachment.