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Enhancing the “Broaden and Build” Cycle of Attachment Security in Adulthood: From the Laboratory to Relational Contexts and Societal Systems

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  • Mario Mikulincer

    (Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, HaUniversita 8 Street, Herzliya 46150, Israel)

  • Phillip R. Shaver

    (Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-8686, USA)

Abstract

Attachment theory emphasizes both the importance of the availability of caring, supportive relationship partners, beginning in infancy, for developing a sense of safety and security, and the beneficial effects of this sense of security on psychosocial functioning and physical and mental health. In this article, we briefly review basic concepts of attachment theory, focusing on the core construct of attachment security and present evidence concerning the ways in which this sense can be enhanced in adulthood. Specifically, we review findings from laboratory experiments that have momentarily enhanced the sense of attachment security and examined its effects on emotion regulation, psychological functioning, and prosocial behavior. We then review empirical findings and ideas concerning security enhancement by actual relationship partners, non-human symbolic figures, and societal systems in a wide variety of life domains, such as marital relationships, psychotherapy, education, health and medicine, leadership and management, group interactions, religion, law, and government.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Mikulincer & Phillip R. Shaver, 2020. "Enhancing the “Broaden and Build” Cycle of Attachment Security in Adulthood: From the Laboratory to Relational Contexts and Societal Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:2054-:d:334673
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wu, Chia-Huei & Parker, Sharon K., 2017. "The role of leader support in facilitating proactive work behaviour: a perspective from attachment theory," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 57311, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    1. Natalia Kascakova & Jana Furstova & Jozef Hasto & Andrea Madarasova-Geckova & Peter Tavel, 2020. "When a Head Is about to Burst: Attachment Mediates the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Migraine," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Justine Rebillon & Olivier Codou & Jean-Félix Hamel & Eva Moffat & Fabrizio Scrima, 2023. "The Mediating Role of Perceived Comfort between Workplace Attachment Style and Perceived Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Mónica Guzmán-González & Carlos Calderón & Carol Murray & Diego Henríquez, 2020. "Evidence for a Bifactor Structure of the Caregiving Questionnaire with Individuals Involved in Different and Same-Sex Couple Relationships," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Julie A. Blake & Hannah J. Thomas & Anita M. Pelecanos & Jake M. Najman & James G. Scott, 2024. "Attachment in Young Adults and Life Satisfaction at Age 30: A Birth Cohort Study," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(4), pages 1549-1568, August.

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