1. Connecting Childhood and Mental Illness
Introduction
Numerous studies have indicated a rising increase in mental health illness among Canadians. For this reason, the purpose of this research is to examine four childhood attachment styles and their possible links to adult mental illness. Examining child attachment styles developed among adults with mental illness is significant to increase early awareness and intervention for children, youth and families.
Monica De Roo, Athabasca University
Qualitative Contributions
Both participants mentioned inconsistent and absent relationships with their mothers and fathers, difficulties developing peer relationships and unpredictable lifestyles. This suggests external factors can effect adult mental illness. They both described their father as a good provider, their mother as “rough,” and indicated that early independence and a positive outlook on life were long term benefits.
Results
Diagnosed participants reported a higher rate of Neglectful Parenting attachment styles, suggesting a strong correlation between this attachment style and adult mental illness.
Undiagnosed participants reported high Affectionless Control and Affectionate Constraint attachments styles, indicating its possible resiliency to adult mental illness.
The disperse of attachment styles among diagnosed participants proposes that external variables could possibly influence adult mental illness.
Both groups of participants reported similar measures of Optimal Parenting attachments styles, suggesting it least influences the probability of an adult mental illness.
Four Attachment Styles
Future Research
Neglectful Parenting
= low care and low protection
Attachment style and psychological outcomes in adolescents Wilkinson, & Walford,2001
Diagnosed
Undiagnosed
Optimal Parenting
= high care and low protection
Maternal psychological assessments to recognize high risk mothers Alhusen,Hayat & Gross,2013
Mother-Child Attachments
Diagnosed Group
Affectionate Constraint
= high care and high protection
Father’s role in early childhood and the onset of adult mental health Goodwin & Styron,2012
Undiagnosed Group
Affectionless Control
= low care and high protection
Attachment organization at all developmental levels Riggs,2010
21%
20%
20%
Parker, Tupling & Brown,1979
Methods
Twenty adult participants were selected within a post- secondary institute and through social networking. Ten participants were diagnosed with a mental illness and ten were undiagnosed to provide a comparison. All participants took part in the Parenting Bonding Instrument Questionnaire (Parker, Tupling & Brown, 1979) and two diagnosed participants completed the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan & Main, 1996). Both methodologies were used due to literature reviews, accessibility, and accreditation within the psychology field.
References
Alhusen, L., Hayat, J.,& Gross, D. (2013). A longitudinal study of maternal attachment and infant developmental outcomes. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 16(6), doi: /s
George, C., Kaplan, N. & Main, M. (1985). The adult attachment interview. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkley. Retrieved from
Goodwin, D. & Styron, H. (2012). Perceived quality of early paternal relationships and mental health in adulthood. Journal of Nervous
and Mental Disease, 200(9), doi: /NMD.0b013e f87
Parker, G., Tupling, H. & Brown, B. (1979). A parental bonding instrument. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 1979, 52, Retrieved from
Riggs, A. (2010). Childhood emotional abuse and the attachment system across the life cycle: What theory and research tell us. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 19(1), 5-51.
doi: /
Wilkinson, R., & Walford, W. (2001). Attachment and personality in the psychological health of adolescents. Personality and Individual
Differences, 31, doi: /S (00)
Results suggest a correlation between adult mental illness and high rates of Neglectful Parenting mother-child attachments.
Undiagnosed participants reported high Optimal Parenting mother-child attachment style suggesting it may influence a resistance to adult mental illness.
The similar rates in Affectionate Constraint and Affectionless Control mother-child attachment style indicates these least impact individuals.
Strong differences between male and female attachment styles suggests that gender plays a significant role in the formation of mother-child attachments.
Results suggest that adults with mental illness have a high probability of developing Neglectful Parenting father-child attachments.
Undiagnosed participant's Affectionate Constraint and Affectionless Control father-child attachment rates suggest their importance on adult mental illness prevention.
Similar rates in Optimal Parenting father-child attachment style informs it is least influential on individual’s overall mental health.
Females had significant opposing Optimal Parenting and Neglectful Parenting father-child attachments compared to males, reinforcing that gender is a key variable.