Work

Attachment in adoptees and non-adoptees from infancy to young adulthood: the Greek Metera study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Children in institutions often develop insecure attachments. Although recovery is observed in childhood and adolescence, evidence in adulthood is limited. This pre-registered study compared adoptees with institutional experience and non-adoptees from infancy to adulthood. Attachment was assessed in infancy (Strange Situation), preschool (Attachment Story Completion Task and Attachment Q-Sort), adolescence (Child Attachment Interview), and adulthood (Adult Attachment Interview; AAI). Adoptees at age 24 exhibited higher rates of insecurity (60% vs 31%) and lower coherence on the AAI compared to non-adoptees (Cohen’s d = 0.51). Stressful life events predicted insecurity in adulthood (β = −0.33, p = .005). Disorganized attachment in infancy did not predict attachment insecurity in adulthood (OR = 1.32, 95% CI [0.47, 3.70]). Attachment catch-up appears incomplete for some adult adoptees with early institutional experience, particularly following serious stressful life events, highlighting the need to consider both early adversity and ongoing environmental stress in understanding adult attachment outcomes.

Source: Attachment & Human Development

DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2026.2632638

Authors: Pavlos Zournatzidis, Patrick Luyten, Peter Fonagy, Varvara Salavou, Panayiota Vorria

Institutions: University College London, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: American Psychoanalytic Association