The purpose of this study is to assess whether infant attachment of early adopted children is related to their cortisol secretion at the age of fourteen. In addition, it is examined whether...Show moreThe purpose of this study is to assess whether infant attachment of early adopted children is related to their cortisol secretion at the age of fourteen. In addition, it is examined whether temperament at the age of fourteen influences this relationship. The 88 participants (37 boys and 51 girls) are examined through the following measurements: At the age of twelve months attachment is measured by the Strange Situation Procedure; at the age of fourteen years cortisol levels during the day are measured by taking saliva and temperament is measured by the Dutch Temperament Questionnaire. The first hypothesis concerned attachment and cortisol levels in general, namely that there is a connection between attachment and the height and slope of the cortisol diurnal curves. Furthermore, we expected insecurely attached children to have lower and flatter cortisol diurnal curves as compared to securely attached children and disorganized attached children to have lower and flatter cortisol diurnal curves as compared to organized attached children. The last hypothesis stated that the relation between attachment and cortisol secretion is different for children with different forms of temperament. All hypotheses had to be rejected according to the results and we conclude that early attachment is not related to cortisol secretion at the age of fourteen. Also, we conclude that temperament does not influence this relationship. A possible explanation for the results could be that there were only 88 participants included in this study. A too small sample size may cause that little differences are less likely to become evident. Another explanation may be that we have to deal with a particular sample, which includes adopted children and their adoptive parents. Off course, it is also possible that the results are indeed a reflection of the reality.Show less