Factors Associated with Parent–Adolescent Attachment Relationship Quality: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: Attachment to parents during adolescence has been identified as an important indicator of psychosocial adaptation. However, the relative importance of the adolescents’ behavior problems and the larger relational context likely to influence the quality of these relationships remains relatively underexplored. The present study aims to identify the factors associated with the quality of parent–adolescent attachment relationships and to establish their relative contributions. This study also tested, as a complementary objective, the invariance of the models according to sex. Method: 706 (46.9% girls) early adolescents participated in the study at time 1 and then again, two years later. The individual (e.g., behavior problems or temperament) and contextual (e.g., parents’ behaviors, history of abuse or environment stability) associated factors were measured at time 1, while the quality of the parent–adolescent attachment relationship was measured at time 2. Results: The results showed that a history of emotional abuse, inconsistent discipline, externalized behavior problems and the adolescent’s age were negatively associated with the global attachment security score, while internalized behavior problems and peer attachment were positively associated. These variables explained 15.7% of variance. The results also demonstrated that these variables were also associated with the specific dimensions of attachment (trust, communication, alienation). Discussion: The study demonstrates the importance of several relational variables in the development of the parent–adolescent attachment relationship.

Autonomy as the Result of Relations: Role of Attachment to Mother and Peers in Volunteering Motivation in Adolescents

“…Надежность привязанности в подростковом возрасте связана с высоким уровнем доверия и сотрудничества в отношениях с родителями, что позволяет подросткам развивать автономию, в то время как ненадежная привязанность может нарушать развитие автономии личности подростка [13]. Надежная привязанность определяет благоприятные траектории развития личностной автономии подростков даже в случаях генетического фактора риска: надежная привязанность смягчает негативные проявления сепарационных процессов и способствует повышению регуляторного аспекта автономии [31].…”

Associations between externalizing behavior problems and risky sexual behaviors in adolescence: Attachment as a mediator

“…Yet, the contribution of attachment, defined as an affectionate bond or tie between an individual and an attachment figure which provides the individual with the sense of security they need to explore their environment and thus support optimal development (Ainsworth et al, 1978; Bowlby, 1979), may be particularly pertinent in addressing sexual behavior. Although the quality of attachment relationships, especially parental attachment, is often thought as a determinant of behavioral problems (Kerns & Brumariu, 2016; Madigan et al, 2016), attachment relationships are also impacted by the presence of behavioral problems (Allen et al, 2004; Brook et al, 2012; Scott et al, 2013; Therriault et al, 2021), suggesting that the association between the quality of attachment relationships and behavioral problems is likely to be bidirectional. Indeed, the behaviors associated with externalizing behaviors, such as aggressive, oppositional, and hostile behaviors, have the potential to make the parent–adolescent relationship more conflictual, thus undermining the quality of the attachment relationship.…”

The role of student–teacher relationships in the association between negative parenting practices and emotion dynamics – Combining longitudinal and ecological momentary assessment data

“…Others (e.g., Bernier et al, 2014;Grossmann et al, 2008) found that maternal support for autonomy and exploration are key factors in developing a secure attachment. On the other hand, parenting practices that are insensitive, disinterested, inconsistent and self-preoccupied are related to insecure or disorganized attachment and attachment representations (e.g., Therriault et al, 2021). The close link between parenting practices and child attachment/representations is further evidenced in attachment-based interventions that are designed to promote positive parenting practices (see e.g., Juffer et al, 2008).…”