Sociocultural factors in the development of attachment styles in Mexican population

Abstract

This study had the goal of understanding the aspects of Mexican culturalthat influence the different attachment and parenting styles in the Mexican population. To this end, mental health providers working in education and clinical settings from the north of the country were invitedt o participated in focus groups. Qualitative content analysis revealed that authoritative and permissive parenting styles are likely more prevalent in Mexico, and that gender stereotypes could influence their first relationships and who takes the role of the attachment figure for children. As an important finding it was observed that most prevalence attachment styles were evitative, ambivalent and, finally, disorganized. It is suggested that future studies continue to explore these themes.