A Longitudinal Study on Attachment Insecurity and Chronic Stress: The Role of Self-Regulation
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2019-06-17
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en
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Abstract
Previous research found a relation between attachment insecurity and negative behavioural
outcomes as well as physiological processes. This study further investigated these relations by
examining whether insecure attachment is linked to markers of chronic stress, e.g. telomere
length and cortisol in hair, and whether self-regulation skills play a moderating or mediating
role in this relation. In an ongoing longitudinal study on healthy children (N=193), attachment
style was measured by the Strange Situation Procedure at age 1, and self-regulations skills
were assessed by behavioural tests at age 2.5 years and age 6 years. Hair cortisol and telomere
length were assessed at age 10. Structural equation models showed that – contrary to
expectations - securely attached children had significantly shorter telomeres compared to
insecurely attached children. Attachment insecurity was not significantly associated to hair
cortisol concentrations. Self-regulation skills did not mediate the association between
attachment style and telomere length or hair cortisol. A model with self-regulation skills as
moderator could not be fitted. Future research should attempt to replicate these findings and
study possible mechanisms underlying the link between secure attachment style and shorter
telomere length.
Keywords: Telomeres, Hair Cortisol, Inhibitory Control, Infancy, Development, Behaviour
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen