The relationship between adolescents attachment styles and attachment styles of parents

In this study, we aimed to reveal the relationship between adolescents? attachment styles and attachment styles of parents and the impact of factors affecting the attachment on adolescents? attachment styles. 100 adolescent volunteers referred to child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic of Akdeniz University Hospital, between ages 12-17 and their mothers and/or fathers have been included in this study. To determine the factors affecting the attachment and some personal characteristics, for all subjects sociodemographic data form was used. For determination of attachment styles of adolescents and parents we used Adolescent Relation Scale Questionnaire and Relation Scale Questionnaire respectively. In addition, for all subjects, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, for adolescents The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and for parents Symptom Checklist 90-Revised were used. The stastistically significant relationship between attachment styles of adolescents and mothers? attachment styles was found but we did?nt determine the similar result between adolescents? attachment styles and attachment styles of fathers. We found that the girls had a higher rate than boys in fearful attachment style. And also it was determinde that fearful attachment style was associated with sexual abuse history and self injurios behavior. Because the sample was clinical, community based larger studies are needed. The most important results of this study are as followings: The importance of a mother from the point of attachment continues into adolescence besides the childhood. There is a bidirectional relationship that affects each other in a vice versa manner between adolescents and their parents. Finally, the secure attachment affects every aspect of adolescent well-being.