Prospecting the attachment research field: a move to the level of engagement

ABSTRACT

This paper prospected the evidence synthesized in meta-analyses on child–parent attachment to discuss its implications for the future of attachment research. Based on the 75 identified meta-analyses, effect size benchmarks may need to be adjusted to small (r = .10), medium (r = .20), and large (r = .30). Topics of attachment meta-analyses predominantly (53%) reflected interest in testing theory. Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications (k = 7,595) that cited these meta-analyses reflect waxing uptake in work on interventions, mental health, and attachment anxiety/avoidance and waning uptake in work on attachment relationships and representations, except for the subtopics of sensitivity and fathers. Prospects for scientifically rigorous research are to be found in engagement with stakeholders working to address important societal challenges. Promoting nurturing care and reducing harm in child welfare contain “Goldilocks-problems” that are amenable to incremental progress while simultaneously advancing theory and methods.

KEYWORDS:

• Attachment
• meta-analysis
• bibliometrics
• sustainable development goals
• child welfare

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

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