Migration, Diversity and Care

Attachment, Ageing, and Social Inclusion: Pathways to Wellbeing in Later Life

Overarching Vision

To understand how attachment processes evolve in later adulthood, how these processes are shaped by social forces (e.g., prejudice and discrimination), and how they influence and are influenced by positive ageing trajectories and psychological wellbeing.

Background and Rationale

Attachment Across the Lifespan

While attachment theory has historically focused on early development, contemporary research demonstrates the centrality of attachment dynamics well into later life. Older adults increasingly rely on partners, adult children, peers, and institutions as attachment figures. Shifts in health, mobility, and social roles can activate new attachment needs and attachment blueprints, which have been formed early in life, may change over life’s journey. As attachment security is significant to wellbeing, social functioning and emotion regulation, it is important to understand attachment dynamics in later life and their influence on ageing trajectories.

Social Context: Ageism, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Experiences of negative stereotypes, exclusion, and/or discrimination can undermine older adults' sense of security, threaten basic belonging, and alter attachment representations. Conversely, socially inclusive environments may bolster feelings of security and promote healthier ageing. We aim to understand both the social phenomena that shape attachment in ways that hinder positive ageing and those that enhance it.

Positive Ageing and Wellbeing

Attachment security is linked to resilience, emotion regulation, successful adaptation to ageing-related transitions, and overall wellbeing. A focus on attachment works to integrate positive ageing frameworks in ways that allow us to examine resources and strengths that enable older adults to flourish.

Program Aims

Aim 1: Examine how attachment orientations (secure, anxious, avoidant) evolve from midlife into advanced age, and how these orientations relate to social connectedness and wellbeing across the lifespan.

Aim 2: Investigate how experiences of age-related prejudice and discrimination (ageism) relate to attachment security, perceived availability of support, and trust in close relationships.

Aim 3: Identify protective factors including, social identity, community belonging, and intergenerational relationships, that influence and are influenced by attachment to support wellbeing.

Aim 4: Develop and evaluate interventions that promote secure attachment processes, strengthen social ties, and enhance psychological wellbeing across diverse ageing populations.

Research Questions

1. How do attachment patterns change across later adulthood, and what life events or social contexts predict such changes?
2. What role does ageism play in altering attachment security, social trust, and relational expectations?
3. Do positive ageing beliefs mediate or moderate the link between attachment insecurity and wellbeing in older adults?
4. What relational and community-based factors promote resilience among older adults facing social exclusion?
5. How can targeted psychological and social interventions enhance attachment security and wellbeing in older adults?

Expected Contributions

Theoretical Contributions

• Expand attachment theory to more fully account for ageing processes and social context.
• Integrate ageism as a relational and social developmental force.
• Provide a lifespan perspective on relational security.

Empirical Contributions

• Identify patterns of attachment change in later life.
• Clarify pathways linking social exclusion to relational insecurity and wellbeing impact.
• Highlight resilience processes and protective factors.

Practical Contributions

• Evidence-based interventions for:
  • Ageism reduction
  • Strengthening social ties
  • Supporting positive ageing
  • Enhancing psychological wellbeing

Impact

This program will offer new insights crucial for:

• Healthy ageing policy
• Aged care practice
• Mental health support
• Social inclusion frameworks
• Public health initiatives against ageism

Researchers

• Associate Professor Eyal Gringart
• Dr Deirdre Drake
• Dr Trish Cain
• Dr Shaun Markovic