Early Parental Attachment Style and Late-Life Depressive Symptoms: An Exploratory Analysis on the Moderating Role of Mild Cognitive.

Abstract

Background: Early relationships with caregivers shape emotional and cognitive development, colouring attitudes and behaviours across the lifespan. Secure attachment has consistently been associated with a lower risk of late-life depression (LLD). However, the extent to which parental (maternal or paternal) attachment contributes to late-life depressive symptoms and whether this association is influenced by cognitive impairment remains unclear.

Objectives: We investigated whether mild cognitive impairment (MCI) moderates the association between parental (maternal/paternal) attachment style (secure vs. insecure) and late-life depressive symptoms.

Methods: We analysed data from 120 participants enrolled in a cross-sectional study conducted at the Old-Age Psychiatric Service of Lausanne University Hospital. Retrospective parental attachment was assessed using the Attachment Multiple Model Interview (AMMI), from which maternal and paternal secure and insecure attachment scores were derived. Late-life depressive symptoms were measured with the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia using both self- and informant-reports. MCI was defined using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), with a global score equal to 0.5 indicating MCI. Associations and potential moderation by MCI were examined using multiple linear regression models.

Results: Lower secure paternal attachment was significantly associated with higher self- and informant-reported depressive symptom severity, but only among participants with MCI. No significant associations were observed independently of the MCI for maternal attachment or insecure paternal attachment.

Conclusions: Early paternal bonds may shape emotional vulnerability differently in the context of cognitive decline. These results suggest considering both attachment history and cognitive status in interventions for late-life depressive symptoms.