We explored attachment in a family context by applying family systems
principles to the investigation of multiple attachment relationships
within families. This study focused on maternal adult
attachment with respect to family of origin experiences (assessed
using the Adult Attachment Interview [AAI]) as well as
maternal marital attachment (assessed using the Marital
Attachment Interview [MAI]). We examined associations between
maternal adult attachment (or marital attachment) and three levels of
family functioning including individual maternal depression symptoms,
dyadic marital satisfaction (reported by mothers), and family unit
functioning. We also examined associations between combined attachment
security (consistent secure, AAI secure/MAI insecure, AAI
insecure/MAI secure, and consistent insecure) and family outcomes.
Finally, we assessed the extent to which attachment representations
operate differently in the context of family stress, namely maternal
depression. We found that attachment security with respect to
particular relationships was differentially associated with different
levels of family functioning. Examination of the security of combined
adult and marital attachment further supported the multilevel
organization of the family system.