Contributions of Parental Attachments to View of Self and Depressive Symptoms among Early Adolescents

Abstract

Three causal models, examining the relationship of parental attachment to view of self and level of depressive symptoms, were examined for a sample of eighth-grade girls (n = 92) and boys (n = 115). Consistent with the Bowlby construct of the internal working model of self structural equation modeling provided tentative support for the mediating role of view of self in influencing depressive symptoms. Gender differences were found for levels of depressive symptoms and global self-worth. Longitudinal studies with additional variables and multiple informants are needed to further assess the validity of the proposed model

Insecure Attachment to Parents and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescence: Mediating Roles of Attributions and Self-esteem

“…The finding of a relation between anxious attachment and depressive symptoms is consistent with previous findings that insecure parental attachment is a risk factor for the development of depressive symptoms in early adolescence (e.g., Armsden et al, 1990;Kenny et al, 1993). The present study, however, extends those findings by highlighting the importance of anxiety about abandonment as opposed to avoidance of closeness, and the importance of attachment anxiety to mother in comparison with father.…”

“…As well, with respect to the relation between attachment and depressive symptoms, whereas Kenny et al (1993) unexpectedly found the association to be stronger for boys than for girls, we found the association for attachment to mother to be stronger for girls than for boys. These differing findings may be due to the fact that Kenny et al (1993) assessed security of parental attachment (i.e., affective quality of attachment, autonomy, and emotional support), whereas we distinguished both the type of insecurity and the attachment relationship with mother and father. Our results are consistent with Cooper et al's (1998) findings that anxiously attached adolescent girls reported greater psychological distress than anxiously attached boys and securely and avoidantly attached adolescent boys and girls.…”

“…Working models, which are mental representations of self and other in early attachment relationships, are influential into adulthood (e.g., Fraley, 2002). Early adolescents who report being insecurely attached to their parents endorse more depressive symptoms than those who report being securely attached (e.g., Doyle, Brendgen, Markiewicz& Kamkar, 2003;Kenny, Moilanen, Lomax & Brabeck, 1993). Bowlby (1969) distinguished the predisposition to depression of anxiously and avoidantly attached individuals.…”

Understanding the Sex Difference in Vulnerability to Adolescent Depression: An Examination of Child and Parent Characteristics

“…There is also evidence that girls have more negative perceptions of their athletic competence, although it is unclear whether these findings extend to other areas of achievement, such as academic competence (Hagborg, 1993;Ohannessian et al, 1999;Rose & Montemayor, 1994). Similarly, findings regarding sex differences in levels of insecure attachment have been mixed (e.g., Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991;Brennan, Shaver, & Tobey, 1991;Buist, Dekovic, Meeus, & van Aken, 2002;Kenny & Gallagher, 2002;Kenny, Moilanen, Lomax, & Brabeck, 1993;Sund & Wichstrom, 2002).…”

Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology

“…Working models are thought to contain processes that influence interpretation and memory of experiences, and to become more elaborate and stable as the child grows older and learns to extend the models for use in novel situations. In this way, internal working models are said to form the basis for attachment styles, which contain expectations of responsiveness and stability in future interpersonal relationships, for coping with stress and seeking social support (Bowlby, 1969;Kenny, Moilanen, Lomax & Brabeck, 1993).…”