Early Childhood Attachment and Its Impact on Later Life Resilience: A Comparison of Resilient and Non-Resilient Female Siblings

Abstract

Prior research has repeatedly identified early childhood attachment as a primary protective factor. In this study the authors sought to assess if there were significant differences in the attachment levels of resilient females in comparison to their non-resilient female siblings. The authors examine, using standardized attachment scales, the levels of attachment through the use of an intra-family research design. The study consists of a comparative analysis of female inmates from five Midwestern state correctional departments to their resilient female siblings' attachments, in correlation with their subsequent use of alcohol and/or drugs and the completion of high school. This is a replication of Stacy's (2004, 2006) research of the attachment levels of male resilient individuals in comparison to their non-resilient siblings. The conclusions may be utilized by practitioners identifying appropriate interventions for female youth at risk of becoming non-resilient.

Keywords:

• Attachment
• resilience
• intra-family research design
• siblings
• females