Call for Submissions – Special Issue on The Power of Relationships in Human Development

Frontiers in Psychology – Developmental Psychology Section: Call for Papers – Research Topic: “The Power of Relationships in Human Development: From Prenatal Bonding to Attachment Across the Lifespan”

Human development is inherently relational. From the earliest stages of life, relationships with others underlie emotional, cognitive, and social development. Current research emphasizes that attachment begins before birth, as prenatal interactions between fetus and caregiver contribute to the regulation of stress responses and lay the foundation for postnatal attachment. After birth, early relationship experiences continue to shape the development of self-regulation, emotional security, and interpersonal skills. However, relationships remain fundamental throughout the lifespan and continue to evolve in complexity and importance. Beyond childhood, caregivers – including parents, teachers, mentors, and romantic partners – continue to influence psychological well-being and identity development.

Among the various theoretical frameworks that address the role of relationships in development, attachment theory is one of the most established perspectives. First introduced by Bowlby, attachment theory emphasizes the importance of early attachments in shaping long-term emotional and social functioning. Although much research has focused on infancy and early adolescence, attachment relationships remain relevant at all stages of life. Secure attachment promotes emotional regulation and social adjustment, while insecure attachment patterns may contribute to mental health vulnerability and relationship difficulties. Moreover, attachment is not limited to primary caregivers; secondary caregivers, such as teachers, peers, and romantic partners, also play an important role in an individual’s developmental trajectory.

This Research Topic aims to explore the role of relationships in human development, with a focus on attachment processes across the lifespan. It seeks to integrate findings from developmental, perinatal, social, and clinical psychology to provide a comprehensive understanding of how early and later relationships influence individual development. By broadening the scope beyond childhood, this Research Topic encourages interdisciplinary research on attachment in adolescence, adulthood, and different care settings.

Papers exploring, but not limited to, the following topics are welcome:

– Prenatal attachment and early relational experiences: The impact of prenatal attachment and early postnatal interactions on later development.

– Attachment in infancy and childhood: How early caregiving relationships shape social-emotional development and resilience.

– Attachment in adolescence and adulthood: The influence of attachment figures beyond childhood, including peers and romantic partners.

– The role of secondary caregivers: How teachers, mentors, and other nonparental figures contribute to emotional security and social adjustment.

– Cultural and contextual influences on attachment: How attachment patterns and caregiving roles vary across cultures and socio-environmental contexts.

– Clinical and applied perspectives: The role of attachment-based interventions in therapy, education, and mental health.

– Attachment and resilience: The protective role of secure attachment in overcoming adversity, such as family disruption, migration, or trauma.

We invite researchers to submit original research articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, theoretical perspectives, and empirical studies that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how relationships, in particular attachment relationships, influence human development at different stages of life.