Broaden-and-Build Effects of Contextually Boosting the Sense of Attachment Security in Adulthood

Abstract

According to attachment theory, a sense of attachment security provides a foundation for mental health, social adjustment, and psychological thriving. In this article, we review what has been learned from laboratory experiments on the causal effects of contextually boosting a person’s sense of attachment security. We begin with a brief account of attachment theory and the construct of attachment security. We then review findings from laboratory experiments showing that contextual activation of mental representations of attachment security has beneficial effects on emotion regulation, psychological functioning, and prosocial behavior.