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Panel information
Panel 14. Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

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Introduction:
Previous research has found links between attachment styles and adult physical health outcomes. For example, insecure attachments have been associated with dysregulated physiological responses to stress, increased susceptibility to physical illness, poorer disease outcomes, and risky health behaviors (Pietromonaco & Beck, 2019; Puig et al., 2013). Adolescence is also a critical period for the formation of health-related habits, though little is known about how these may interact with attachment styles during adolescence to predict future health outcomes. The present study thus aims to examine adolescents’ attachment style and health habits as predictors of adult physical health outcomes from ages 14 to 30. The hypotheses are: (1) teens with a secure attachment will report fewer physical illnesses in adulthood, (2) teens with an insecure attachment will report more physical illnesses in adulthood, and (3) associations found in hypotheses 1 and 2 will be moderated by teens’ health habits (i.e., diet and physical activity).

Methods:
Data were obtained from a larger longitudinal study (n = 184), which was diverse in gender (86 male, 96 female), race/ethnicity (107 Caucasian, 53 African American, 24 mixed/ “other” ethnicity), and socioeconomic status (median at start of study in 1999 = $43,618). At age 14, attachment style and parental behaviors were assessed using the Adolescent Attachment Interview (AAI) and Children’s Report of Parenting Behavior Inventory, respectively. At ages 28-30, markers of Dietary Habits, Exercise Habits, and Physical Illness across 8 domains were assessed using respective self-report measures and additional bio-measures of health were collected (i.e. Interleukin 6 Immunoassay and C-reactive protein).

Results:
Analyses examined associations between attachment style, health habits, and later adult health outcomes. Surprisingly, no direct associations were found between attachment style and health outcomes at ages 28-30. There were several correlations between moderate (but not vigorous) activity levels and more positive health outcomes.

However, significant interactions were found between secure attachment and fruit/vegetable intake (β = .23, p = .008), fiber intake (β = .18, p = .041), and sugar intake (β = .25, p = .003) predicting BMI. Secure attachment predicted a lower BMI when individuals reported lower fruit/vegetable intake, lower fiber intake, or lower sugar intake as compared to when intake for each was high. Interestingly, individuals with a dismissing attachment had a lower BMI when higher sugar intake was reported (β = -.18, p = .033). Finally, individuals with a preoccupied attachment who reported lower fruit/vegetable intake had worse physical functioning (β = .23, p = .011), higher BMI (β = -.29, p < .001), and and higher CRP levels (β = -.25, p = .021) as compared to those with higher intake. The same pattern was found for preoccupied attachment and fiber intake, such that individuals with a preoccupied attachment had lower physical functioning (β = .24, p = .007) and higher BMI (β = -.25, p = .003) when lower fiber intake was reported. Results will be discussed with consideration of the interplay between developmental experiences and health behaviors as predictors of long-term health outcomes.

Author information

Author	Role
Cameron M. Piper, James Madison University	Presenting author
Elizabeth A. Poillucci, James Madison University	Non-presenting author
Jaclyn H. Snyder, James Madison University	Non-presenting author
Nisa M. Khaldun, James Madison University	Non-presenting author
David E. Szwedo, James Madison University	Non-presenting author
Joseph P. Allen, University of Virginia	Non-presenting author

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