Attachment patterns of young adults in stepfamilies and biological families
Judith M Planitz
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD
Judith A Feeney
Department of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD
Candida C Peterson
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD
PP: 67 - 81
Abstract
This research addressed the under-studied question of attachment patterns in stepfamilies. In total, 368 young adults participated in three studies assessing key aspects of attachment in stepfamilies and biological families (categorical attachment, working models, attachment dimensions and attachment figures).
Stepfamily participants were less likely than biological family participants to endorse a categorical measure of secure attachment and had more negative mental models of others; however, participants did not differ on other measures of attachment. Participants' satisfaction with their relationship with their biological father mediated the association between family type and mental model of others.
The results are discussed in terms of attachment theory, previous research on relationships in stepfamilies and implications for practice. In particular, they emphasise the importance of relationships with parents for the adjustment of offspring in stepfamilies.
Keywords
stepfamilies, young adults, attachment, attachment figures
Article Text
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