Aims of the study

The researchers had several key objectives, building on attachment theory to investigate patterns specific to Italian culture.

Primary aims:

• To determine if the majority of Italian infants and adults are classified as having secure attachments (type B), using meta-analytic data - this was the first such comprehensive review for Italy.
• To explore whether Italy's majority Catholic population leads to a higher incidence of unresolved attachment types, due to beliefs in an afterlife and continued existence after death.
• To identify any gender differences in attachment types among Italian samples.

These aims addressed how cultural and societal factors might influence attachment distributions compared to other countries, particularly the United States.

Procedures and methods

The study used a meta-analysis approach to gather and synthesise data from existing research, ensuring a broad and representative sample.

Method

• Researchers conducted a keyword search in databases like PsycINFO, using terms such as 'attachment', 'Italian', and 'Strange Situation procedure'.
• Additional data were sourced from Italian journals and publications to include studies not easily accessible in English-language databases.
• Studies were selected based on their use of established attachment assessment tools: the Strange Situation procedure for infants and the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) for adults.

Participants

• For infant attachments: 17 studies provided 23 samples, totalling 627 participants assessed via the Strange Situation procedure.
• For adult attachments: 50 studies provided 72 samples, totalling 2,258 participants assessed via the AAI.
• Samples were divided into clinical groups (participants with mental health issues) and non-clinical groups (participants without mental health issues) to allow comparisons.

Procedure

Results were compared against the US non-clinical baseline norms for attachment distributions: type A (21%), type B (67%), and type C (12%).

Key results

The meta-analysis revealed distinct patterns in Italian attachment distributions, with comparisons to US norms highlighting cultural differences.

Attachment distributions in non-clinical samples

• Secure attachments (type B) were observed at 50%, which was lower than the US norm of 67%.
• Avoidant attachments (type A) were higher at 36%, compared to the US norm of 21%.
• Resistant attachments (type C) were observed at 14%, which was higher than the US norm of 12%.

Attachment distributions in clinical samples

• Secure attachments were notably lower at 33%, compared to the US non-clinical norm of 67%.
• Insecure attachments were more prevalent overall, with type A at 24% and type C at 43%.

Additional findings

• In the non-clinical samples, securely attached children formed the highest percentage (50%), followed by type A (36%) and type C (14%).
• Italian children showed more type A avoidant behaviour (36%) compared to the US sample (21%).
• Unresolved attachment types in Italian adults (based on AAI data) were low, contrary to expectations linked to Catholic beliefs in an afterlife.
• No significant gender differences were found in attachment types across the samples.

These results indicate that Italian children, especially in non-clinical groups, show more avoidant behaviours than their US counterparts, while clinical samples have fewer secure attachments overall.

Conclusions and implications

The study drew important conclusions about how cultural factors influence attachment patterns, providing insights into child-rearing practices.

Key conclusions:

• Differences in child-rearing may explain higher type A (avoidant) attachments in Italy: Italian parents often view child development as a natural process with minimal adult intervention, leading to less emphasis on responsive parenting.
• In contrast, US mothers typically see themselves as central to promoting their child's development, attributing successes to their efforts, which may foster more secure attachments.
• The low rate of unresolved attachments suggests that Catholic beliefs do not necessarily increase this type, possibly because cultural views on loss and continuation do not disrupt attachment resolution as hypothesised.
• The absence of gender differences indicates that attachment patterns in Italy are not significantly influenced by gender.