Journal of Research on Adolescence
Call for papers: Attachment and Emotion Regulation in Adolescence: Developmental Pathways, Relational Contexts, and Interventions
Editor: Su Yeong Kim
Guest Editors: Valentina Lucia La Rosa, Elena Commodari, Lavinia Barone, Albert Lo, Skyler Hawk
Abstract submission: January 30, 2026
Full manuscript submission: July 30, 2026
Proposed Timeline
Call for Special Issue: October 30, 2025
Abstract submission: January 30, 2026
Special Issue editors notify authors to submit full manuscript: February 28, 2026
Full manuscript submission: July 30, 2026
Initial manuscript decisions (after peer-review): October 30, 2027
Revised manuscript submission: January 30, 2027
Final decision on manuscript: April 30, 2027
Special Issue published: June 30, 2027
Background
Attachment theory provides a fundamental framework for understanding how early relational experiences can shape emotional regulation skills across the lifespan (Bowlby, 1988; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). In particular, during adolescence, a time marked by growing independence, intense emotional experiences, and changing interpersonal needs, representations of attachment and regulation processes become relevant. In fact, the internal working models formed during early caregiving relationships influence how adolescents interpret social cues, regulate their emotions, and navigate complex emotional landscapes (Allen & Tan, 2016).
An increasing number of longitudinal studies confirm that attachment insecurity predicts emotional dysregulation and distress trajectories during adolescence. For instance, recent studies demonstrate that anxious and avoidant attachment styles contribute to emotional dysregulation, which, in turn, predicts an increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms (Chan et al., 2023). Similarly, regulatory difficulties have been linked to deteriorating family and peer relationships and increasing emotional distress over time (Demkowicz et al., 2024; Pascuzzo et al., 2013).
Contemporary developmental psychology also emphasizes the ecological aspect of emotion regulation development. In fact, adolescents’ regulation strategies emerge within relational systems that include caregivers, peers, schools, and sociocultural contexts (Skinner & Zimmer-Gembeck, 2016). Despite these insights, integrative studies linking intrapersonal and contextual dimensions of development remain limited in the scientific literature. Furthermore, contributions that adopt culturally sensitive, strengths-based, and intersectional approaches are urgently needed (Ungar, 2021).
Promising evidence from intervention studies suggests that attachment representations and regulation strategies can be shaped during adolescence through targeted programs. Attachment-based parenting interventions have been shown to improve affective regulation and reduce internalizing and externalizing problems (Barone et al., 2021; Pace et al., 2024). However, more longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of change and assess how generalizable these findings are across different contexts and populations.
This Special Issue addresses these scientific gaps by encouraging the submission of articles that integrate developmental, relational, and contextual perspectives on attachment and emotion regulation in adolescence. Its aim is to stimulate academic dialogue that links theory, empirical research, and intervention practice to promote the emotional development of adolescents.
Aims of the Special Issue
– Advance the longitudinal understanding of how representations of attachment and emotion regulation develop during adolescence.
– Highlight the role of relational contexts, such as family dynamics, peer relationships, and school environments, in shaping emotion regulation skill development.
– Present culturally sensitive approaches to attachment and emotion regulation in adolescence.
– Encourage methodological innovation in studying the relationship between attachment and emotion regulation during adolescence. For example, encourage observational, ecological, person-centered, or experiential sampling projects.
– Stimulate translational dialogue by including intervention and prevention studies that refer to attachment-based models.
Types of Contributions
– Longitudinal or mixed-method empirical studies
– Theoretical or conceptual contributions
– Meta-analyses and systematic reviews
– Program evaluations and randomized controlled trials
– Cross-cultural or comparative designs
– Methodological innovations
Add submission details and we recommend making a special Gmail account for the special issue to add into this section:
Submission details:
All abstract information must be submitted through the Google form below: https://forms.gle/5ywP7auy9xnb6wNSA
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Title
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Author’s names, emails, affiliations
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Abstract and abstract guidelines ((include a brief description of the introduction, methods, and preliminary results (up to 1 single-spaced page of main text, up to 1 page of references, 1-2 tables or figures))
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Provie a brief literature review, gaps in existing literature that form the rationale for your study, study aims and research questions; an overview of the method including participants, data sources, measures and procedure as relevant; and describe major findings. Please ensure that you describe how 1) your research questions and 2) research methods used to address those questions are relevant to adolescents and the special issue topic; 3) provide information about sociocultural, political, economic, educational contexts in which adolescents are embedded, and 4) discuss and interpret your findings from a cultural asset rather than a deficit framework
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Provide a one-paragraph argument that explains how your study fits with the Special Issue Call
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Provide a researcher reflexivity statement where you describe the positionality of authors
All inquiries can be emailed to jraemotionattachment@gmail.com. Abstracts must be submitted through https://forms.gle/5ywP7auy9xnb6wNSA by January 30, 2026 to be considered.
