Attachment and Adolescent Psychosocial Functioning

Abstract

To explore the meaning and function of attachment organization during adolescence, its relation to multiple domains of psychosocial functioning was examined in a sample of 131 moderately at-risk adolescents. Attachment organization was assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview; multiple measures of functioning were obtained from parents, adolescents, and their peers. Security displayed in adolescents' organization of discourse about attachment experiences was related to competence with peers (as reported by peers), lower levels of internalizing behaviors (as reported by adolescents), and lower levels of deviant behavior (as reported by peers and by mothers). Preoccupation with attachment experiences, seen in angry or diffuse and unfocused discussion of attachment experiences, was linked to higher levels of both internalizing and deviant behaviors. These relations generally remained even when other attachment-related constructs that had been previously related to adolescent functioning were covaried in analysis. Results are interpreted as suggesting an important role for attachment organization in a wide array of aspects of adolescent psychosocial development.

Family Conflict, Emotional Security, and Child Development: Translating Research Findings into a Prevention Program for Community Families

“…For example, the program was also designed to ameliorate mother-adolescent and father-adolescent conflict and communication, which are also linked with both inter-parental conflict and adolescent adjustment and well-being (e.g., Allen et al 1990Allen et al , 1996Allen et al , 1998Allen et al , 2003Holmbeck 1996;Smetana 1996;Stattin and Klackenberg 1992).…”

In My Mind I Was Alone: Suicidal Adolescents' Perceptions of Attachment Relationships

“…Overall, participants described friendships within deviant peer groups as being unhealthy for them and of negative influence. Unfulfilling relationships increased the sense of isolation from peers who may otherwise have served as important sources of support in times of distress (Allen et al, 1998).…”

“…Studies have found that positive parent-teen relationships, including acceptance, attachment and involvement, directly relate to positive aspects of peer relationships such as closeness, connectedness and acceptance (Dekovic & Meeus, 1997). Compared to insecurely attached peers, adolescents with secure attachment report more emotionally close friendships (Zimmerman, 2004), greater social acceptance by peers and higher-quality peer relationships (Allen, Moore, Kuperminc, & Bell, 1998).…”

Relationship between Attachment Security and Rejection Sensitivity in Early Adolescence

“…Adolescents with secure attachment to both the parents are found to have better emotional adjustment (Engels et al 2001), to experience less loneliness (Kerns and Stevens 1997), be more ego-resilient (Kobak and Sceery 1988), have fewer mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, inattention, conduct problems or delinquent activities (Aseltine 1995;Smith and Krohn 1995). Adolescents with insecure attachment have lower levels of confidence, avoid problem solving, have more dysfunctional anger and have higher levels of internalizing symptoms compared with securely attached adolescents (Allen et al 1998). RS could be a mediator of this link between insecure attachment and maladjustment ).…”