Attachment and reflective functioning

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between attachment security and level of reflective functioning on a sample of late adolescents. A positive relationship between attachment security and reflective functioning was expected based on research suggesting that a secure attachment organization facilitates reflective functioning. 61 female and 58 male Bogaziçi University undergraduate students filled out the Short Form of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) and the Parental Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ). The reflective functioning levels of the participants were assessed based on their parental relationship narratives in response to some selected questions from the Adult Attachment Interview, using the Reflective Functioning Scale developed by Fonagy, Target, Steele and Steele (1998). Results revealed that there was no relationship between either maternal or paternal attachment security, and level of reflective functioning. In addition, reflective functioning scores were a bit lower than expected. Maternal attachment security was found to be higher than paternal attachment security. Moreover, females were found to be more securely attached to their mothers and they showed a tendency to be more securely attached to their fathers. Results are discussed on the basis of the validity of the attachment measures used in the present study and the applicability of the Reflective Functioning Scale to the Turkish culture.