Objective:

This paper aims to analyze systematically the scientific production related to attachment behavioral and parenting based on a cross-cultural approach.

Method:

A survey of indexed productions based on national databases such as: Scielo Brasil and CAPES -Coordination of Improvement of Higher Level Personnel-; and international -PsycINFO-, using the following descriptors: Apego OR Bowlby AND parenting OR “parental relationship”; Attachment OR Bowlby AND Parenting OR Parenthood; and finally, Apego OR Bowlby AND Parentality OR “Parental relationships” was performed. Studies translated into Portuguese, English and Spanish between 2013 and October 2017 were considered. After defining the inclusion criteria, the five retained articles were analyzed based on the methodological aspects (sample data, type of approach, type of study and data collection technique), and afterwards, they were submitted to semantic analysis, from which we derived two thematic categories: 1) Factors that influence the formation of attachment and parenting, and 2) Attachment and parental relationships.

Results:

Gaps corresponding to the scientific production according to the topics suggested were identified; identifying the diversity of studies related to attachment behavioral systems and cross-cutting themes, such as: child attachment behavioral and development, attachment behavioral and psychopathology, attachment behavioral and motherhood, among others, were taken into account. In addition, there is no national studies based on these topics, as well as cross-cultural surveys. A quantitative approach and prospective longitudinal studies (follow-up) were conducted in these studies. In order to collect the data, Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) followed by The Strange Situation Survey used with children sampled, were highlighted.

Conclusion:

It should be noted that the Theory of Attachment needs to be open to the review and consideration of dimensions related to culture. This implies adjusting it to different cultural, historical and social contexts. It is suggested, therefore, the increase of new studies that contemplate the formation of attachment, which will disseminate positive parental interventions for the individuals’ personal and family life cycle.

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