The Process of Attachment and Autonomy in Latency

Abstract

The findings in this clinical, longitudinal study describe the process of attachment and autonomy as it unfolds during the latency period of development. Ten normal boys and girls were studied from ages six through eleven. A separate timetable of latency development for boys and girls is suggested. The differences in the boys' and girls' separation responses, which include feelings of a lack of self-coherence, loss, anger, neediness, movement toward peers and defense functioning, are delineated and discussed.