What implications do these findings have for our theoretical understanding of the role of early experience following developmental continuity versus change? Our data provide evidence for an inoculation effect associated with positive early experiences (Schaffer, 2000; Sroufe et al., 1990), in that those who experienced high quality early care appear to be less susceptible (in terms of their anxious-depressed symptom levels) to the effects of their later close relationship experiences. In sharp contrast, our results show that the impact of poor early caregiving on later internalizing symptoms comes into relief only when the quality of later romantic relationship experiences is considered. Identifying the psychological, physiological, and neurobiological mechanisms at the individual and dyadic levels that mediate these inoculation, amplification, and compensation effects are important directions for future research (Coan, 2008; Sbarra & Hazan, 2008).
