Attachment, Emotional Regulation and Perception of the Institutional Environment in Adolescents in Residential Care Context

Abstract

There is a scarcity of studies that relate attachment, emotional regulation difficulties and perception of the institutional environment among adolescents in a residential care context (RCC). Research has suggested the negative effects of RCC on the physical, cognitive and emotional development of children. Nonetheless, there appears to be significant variability in the quality of protection and care offered in RCC, with important implications for the development of children and adolescents. Establishing affective relationships can make a difference in the adaptation and perception of the institutional environment, as well as in the capacity for emotional regulation, among this population. The aim of the present study is to analyze the predictive role of adolescents' attachment to significant figures of affection in the perception of the institutional environment, by testing the moderating effect of emotional regulation difficulties on the previous association. The sample consisted of 296 adolescents, between the ages of 12 and 18 years (M = 15.30; SD = 1.76). The instruments used for data collection were the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR), the Family Environment Scale (FES), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The results suggest that attachment dimensions are not associated with the perception of the institutional environment. However, there is a moderating effect of emotional regulation difficulties on the previous association. The results will be discussed according to attachment theory, given its importance for the perception of the institutional environment and for emotional regulation difficulties, among adolescents in residential care contexts.

‘I just know I am upset, and thats it!’: The role of adolescents’ attachment, emotions, and relationship with caregivers in residential care

“…Besides the core role that professionals could have as ‘second chance secure base figures’ (Graham, 2005, p. 1), variables such as the presence of siblings in the same residential home and the length of stay in care may also work as important predictors of emotional stability and regulation (Atkin & Tozer, 2014; Mota et al, 2021; Wojciak, 2017). The presence of siblings allows adolescents to feel more secure and protected, being more open to reveal and speak about their feelings, promoting a greater capacity to differentiate and not hide their emotions (Oriol et al, 2014; Wojciak, 2017).…”

“…The presence of siblings allows adolescents to feel more secure and protected, being more open to reveal and speak about their feelings, promoting a greater capacity to differentiate and not hide their emotions (Oriol et al, 2014; Wojciak, 2017). At the same time, having siblings living in the same institution can promote a better adaptation to the new context, leading to a greater sense of belonging and security, promoting emotional stability (Martín & González‐Navasa, 2021; Mota et al, 2017, 2021; Mota & Matos, 2015; Wojciak et al, 2018). The association between length of stay and adjustment outcomes has yielded conflicting results.…”

Vinculação aos pais e as aspirações de vida na adolescência: O efeito mediador da sintomatologia depressiva

“…Uma vinculação segura tem vindo a ser negativamente relacionada com vários indicadores de malestar psicológico (e.g., Nunes & Mota, 2018). Por sua vez, uma vinculação insegura poderá estar na etiologia de diversas limitações emocionais, nomeadamente dificuldades em regular e expressar emoções e comportamentos (e.g., Mota et al, 2021;Nunes & Mota, 2017Shewark & Blandon, 2015).…”