Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s study on cultural differences in attachment is a landmark research paper that challenged the universality of attachment theory. Attachment theory, which was first proposed by John Bowlby in the 1960s, posits that infants form an emotional bond with their primary caregivers that influences their development and relationships throughout life. However, this theory was largely based on studies conducted in Western cultures, and there was little research on how attachment styles vary across different cultural contexts. Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s study was a pioneering effort to examine the cross-cultural variability of attachment patterns and to understand the role of cultural factors in shaping attachment behaviors.
The study, which was published in 1988, was a meta-analysis of 32 studies from around the world that used the Strange Situation procedure to assess attachment patterns in infants. The Strange Situation is a laboratory test that involves observing the behavior of infants when they are separated from and reunited with their caregivers. The procedure has been widely used to assess attachment patterns in infants and has been found to be a reliable measure of attachment style.
Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg analyzed data from over 2000 infants from 8 different countries, including the United States, Israel, Japan, China, and Germany. They found that the proportion of infants classified as securely attached varied significantly across different cultures, ranging from 50% in the United States to 75% in Sweden. The proportion of infants classified as insecurely attached also varied, with the highest rates of insecure attachment found in Israel and Japan.
The researchers also found that there were cultural differences in the distribution of different types of insecure attachment. In Western cultures, such as the United States and Germany, avoidant attachment was more common, whereas in non-Western cultures, such as Japan and Israel, ambivalent attachment was more prevalent. This suggests that the cultural norms and parenting practices in different societies may influence the development of attachment styles in infants.
Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s study has important implications for understanding the universality of attachment theory and the role of cultural factors in shaping attachment behaviors. The study challenges the assumption that attachment patterns are universal and suggests that they may be influenced by cultural and environmental factors. The findings of the study suggest that cultural differences in parenting practices, such as the emphasis on independence and self-reliance in Western cultures, may influence the development of avoidant attachment styles, whereas the emphasis on interdependence and emotional closeness in non-Western cultures may promote ambivalent attachment styles.
The study has also led to further research on the role of culture in shaping attachment patterns and has highlighted the need for a more culturally sensitive approach to attachment theory and research. Researchers have examined the role of cultural factors, such as individualism vs. collectivism, in shaping attachment behaviors and have found that cultural differences in attachment patterns may be related to broader cultural values and norms.
One limitation of Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s study is that it only examined attachment patterns in infants and did not explore how attachment styles may change over time or how they may be influenced by cultural factors beyond infancy. Further research is needed to examine how attachment styles may be influenced by cultural factors throughout development and across different life stages.
In conclusion, Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s study on cultural differences in attachment has challenged the universality of attachment theory and has highlighted the need for a more culturally sensitive approach to attachment research. The study has provided evidence that cultural factors may influence the development of attachment styles and has led to further research on the role of culture in shaping attachment behaviors. Understanding the cultural variability of attachment patterns is important for developing effective interventions and treatments for individuals with attachment difficulties and for promoting healthy attachment relationships across different cultures and societies.