Adoption as a restorative context for the attachment bond: a systematic review

Introduction: Adoption in Spain is defined as a legal act and an essential protective measure oriented towards the best interests of the minor. This process serves as a potentially restorative context for attachment bonds after previous experiences of abandonment or neglect. Objective: The current study examines the individual factors among adopted children and adolescents (NNA in the Spanish acronym) and their adoptive families that significantly influence the development of a secure attachment. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement guidelines. The search was performed in the WOS, Scopus, Dialnet, and PsycInfo databases covering the period between 2004 and 2025. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria to the 1751 records initially identified, a total of 12 empirical studies conducted in the Spanish context were selected and analyzed. Results: As for NNA, variables such as age at adoption, previous adverse experiences, length of institutionalization, and the presence of maladaptive behaviors significantly influence the development of attachment. At the family level, key protective factors include parental sensitivity, specific training in adoptive parenting, the grieving process following infertility or loss, perceived social support, and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The findings show that adoption can promote a secure attachment style, thereby acting as a reparative socio-affective environment, provided the appropriate conditions are met.