Protective Relational Processes in Residential Care: Attachment, Emotion Regulation, and Coping in Children and Adolescents

Residential care represents both a risk and an opportunity for socioemotional development among youth exposed to early adversity. Drawing on attachment theory, this study examined associations between institutional attachment to a reference caregiver, emotion regulation difficulties, and coping strategies among children and adolescents living in residential care settings. The sample included 60 participants aged 8 to 17 years from residential institutions in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region. Youth completed the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment adapted for institutional caregivers, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale- Adolescent Version, and the Schoolagers’ Coping Strategies Inventory. Pearson correlation analyses and multiple linear regression models were conducted to examine associations among attachment, emotion regulation, and coping variables. Results indicated generally positive perceptions of attachment to caregivers. Although no significant predictors emerged for the Trust dimension, specific attachment dimensions were differentially associated with regulatory and coping processes. Communication was positively predicted by perceived efficacy of cognitive-behavioral distraction strategies and negatively predicted by acting-out coping. Alienation showed tentative associations with longer institutionalization and difficulties in goal-directed behavior. Findings underscore communication as a clinically meaningful relational mechanism in residential treatment and highlight the importance of integrating attachment-informed and regulation-focused interventions.