Families as Contexts for Attachment: Reflections on Theory, Research, and the Role of Family Rituals

Abstract

This commentary draws on Shaver and Mikulincer's (2012) article to discuss key aspects of adult attachment, family theory, and research. First, a reflection is presented on why the historical development of attachment theory calls for a better understanding of the role of the whole‐family context. Second, the issue of the cross‐fertilization of research traditions related to attachment theory and family systems theory is addressed. Third, a brief overview of research on attachment and family processes is presented. Finally, to illustrate the relationship between attachment and whole‐family variables, the particular example of family rituals is discussed. More precisely, a mediational hypothesis is discussed, whereby attachment security is linked to positive outcomes for families via the development of meaningful family rituals.