Abstract

This systematic review aimed to provide a narrative synthesis of associations between the early childhood (i.e., preschool and early school age) attachment classification systems and internalizing and externalizing symptoms measured from preschool age through adolescence. The review was pre-registered with PROSPERO (#CRD42017073417) and followed PRISMA guidelines. Of the 9,312 records screened, 34 articles comprising 15 samples were included in the review. Findings across studies suggest consistent associations between insecure early childhood attachment and both internalizing and externalizing symptoms during the preschool and school-age/middle childhood periods, with children classified as disorganized/controlling being at heightened risk. There is insufficient evidence to confirm associations with (pre)adolescent externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Future directions for research and clinical implications are discussed.

摘要

本系统评价旨在提供幼儿（即学龄前和学龄早期）依恋分类系统与从学龄前到青春期测量的内化和外化症状之间关联的叙述性综合。该评价已在 PROSPERO (#CRD42017073417) 上预先注册，并遵循 PRISMA 指南。在筛选的 9,312 条记录中，包含 15 个样本的 34 篇文章被纳入审查。跨研究的结果表明，不安全的幼儿依恋与学龄前和学龄/中期儿童时期的内化和外化症状之间存在一致的关联，被归类为无组织/控制的儿童面临更高的风险。没有足够的证据证实与（前）青春期外化和内化症状的关联。讨论了未来的研究方向和临床意义。