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Birth status and adult attachment
journal contribution
posted on 2019-08-01, 00:00 authored by O Gillath, J Casebier, M Canterberry, Gery KarantzasGery KarantzasNumerous studies have investigated the effects of having an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy on parents. Less is known about the long-term effects of unwanted or unplanned pregnancy on the child and his or her personality. Here we examined in one correlational study and three experiments the associations between birth status (being unwanted, unplanned, or neither) and adult attachment. In general, being unwanted, and to a lesser extent unplanned, was associated with attachment insecurity. Priming thoughts about being an unwanted baby resulted in decreased state attachment security and increased state attachment insecurity. These findings suggest that birth status and knowledge about it play a role not only in parents’ but also in children’s lives—affecting their attachment and mental representation into adulthood.
History
Journal
Journal of social and personal relationshipsVolume
36Issue
8Pagination
2345 - 2375Publisher
SageLocation
London, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0265-4075eISSN
1460-3608Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2018, The Author(s)Usage metrics
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