Question

Imagine that you are an older adult. Indicate and explain the policy issues of concern to you. Present some recent findings regarding the role of attachment in late-adult adjustment. How do attachment “styles” change over time, according to recent studies?

Answer 1

Late adult attachment is mediated by personal relationships through out life. Peers and romantic partners take over the role of primary attachment figure ,may it be mother father or any relative.

During childhood primary care giver and their attachment type decides how an individual feels,in best circumstances they are the source of safety,stability and confidence.In bad times they become source of anxiety ,self doubt and mistrust. Thus the nature of friendship and romantic relationship in late adult will be determined on the type of attachment individual had in their childhood.

Some studies show that 30%of the people undergo changes in their attachment styles. People who feel secure as children tend to feel more secure with their romantic partners as adults. But internal model that is formed in childhood keeps on changing in adult life based on the life event, and life experiences.

Studies have suggested that changes in attachment styles over time depends on how susceptible the individual and his believes are to change. If there is readiness to change for better and healthy attachment ,attchment style can change over time. If you are more open and ready for better change ,your attachment styles can change to be better and secure types.

Anxiety and avoidance are important factors that determine the attachment types, research suggest that as age advances and individual becomes adult anxiety and avoidance drop down. Due to which as age advances the attachment becomes more secure.

Some studies also state that as we age we tend to invest more deeply in roles of partnership and that changes our interpersonal behaviours and personalities. The bonds made in later life are more emotionally attached which makes the individual feel more secure.

Thus many recent longitudinal studies suggest that some individual undergo changes in their attachment style and some do not. Attachment styles in childhood do play a major role in adulthood too,but in few with increasing age and maturity and with suceptibility to change,attachment patterns do change and become more secure.