The influence of separation orientation on life satisfaction in the elderly

Ghosts from the past? The association between childhood interpersonal trauma, attachment and anxiety and depression in late life

Objectives: Research suggests that vulnerability for anxiety and depression in late life results from a complex interaction between (neuro)biological and environmental factors. In this context, there is growing evidence for the role of childhood trauma on vulnerability for both anxiety and depression throughout the course of life, mainly through its effects on attachment as a biologically based neurodevelopmental stress regulation system. Yet, the impact of childhood trauma on depression and anxiety in late life specifically remains unclear. The current study therefore aims to investigate the association between retrospectively reported childhood interpersonal trauma, attachment dimensions and levels of anxiety and depression in late life.Method: A sample of 81 community dwelling older adults completed measures of early and current adversity, attachment dimensions, and levels of anxiety and depression.Results: The occurrence and frequency of childhood trauma, but not later negative adult life events, was associated with late life anxiety and depression. Both attachment anxiety and avoidance were related to anxiety and depression. Only attachment anxiety affected the association between childhood trauma, and emotional neglect in particular, and late life anxiety and depression.Conclusion: Childhood trauma may be associated with anxiety and depression in late life. Part of this association is probably indirect, via the effect of insecure attachment and high levels of attachment anxiety in particular.

Attachment Style and Well-being in Elderly Adults: A Preliminary Investigation

L'étude examine la relation entre les styles d'attachement et le bien-être subjectif dans la fin de la vie d'adulte. Soixante-seize aînés âgés en moyenne de 67,9 ans ont rempli un questionnaire servant à mesurer les styles d'attachement (Relationship Questionnaire) et le MUNSH, un questionnaire servant à mesurer le bien-être subjectif, le tout ayant été évalué en fonction de L'état de santé perçu et de l'état civil. Les résultats indiquent que la santé et le style d'attachement ont des effets importants, sans réciprocité cependant, sur le bien-être. Plus précisément, les personnes en santé sont plus heureuses que celles qui sont en mauvaise santé; les personnes interrogées dont les styles d'attachement étaient solides et dégagés étaient remarquablement plus heureuses que celles qui vivaient des attachements empreints de peur. La répartition des styles d'attachement entre les catégories <solide, tendu, centré sur la peur et dégagé> présentait des différences par rapport aux recherches précédentes effectuées chez les jeunes adultes.

Attachment among older adults: current issues and directions for future research

Although John Bowlby conceptualized attachment theory as applicable across the life span, researchers have been relatively slow to examine attachment phenomena specifically among older adults. The present article reviews the extant research applying attachment theory to older populations; preliminary findings suggest that attachment issues hold particular relevance for older adults, given the increased potential for separation, loss and vulnerability associated with aging. Although many of the studies reviewed are somewhat limited methodologically, the overall pattern of results suggests that attachment patterns are associated with a variety of outcomes in later life (such as adaptation to chronic illness and caregiver burden among family members, reactions to the death of a loved one, and general well-being) in a theoretically consistent manner. The implications of and questions raised by current findings are reviewed, and directions for future research are discussed.