States of mind with respect to attachment to the caregiver and the partner of couples during the pre-adoption assessment [Gli stati della mente rispetto all'attaccamento al caregiver e al partner di coppie nell'assessment preadottivo]

In line with the studies which have stressed the importance of security of attachment models to caregiver and to partner in biological parenthood, the aim of this study has been to investigate these constructs in seeking to adopt couples. 39 childless and seeking to adopt couples and 39 control couples, aged between 35 and 45 years, have been assessed by the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) and by the Current Relationship Interview (CRI). The two groups do not differ with respect to attachment to the caregiver (AAI), while adoptive fathers show a prevalence of secure attachment classifications with respect to partner (CRI) compared to non-adoptive fathers. In general, seeking to adopt couples show great valuing of attachment relationships, feature which will be important for a successful adoption.