Parent-Adolescent Attachment and Externalizing Behavior: The Mediating Role of Individual Factors and Social Influence

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test whether the associations between parent-adolescent attachment and externalizing problem behavior of adolescents were mediated by cognitive distortions, self-esteem, parental monitoring and deviant peers. A total of N = 102 adolescents (aged 12-19 years) at risk for developing delinquent behaviors, referred to a prevention program, reported on attachment, parental monitoring, aggressive and delinquent behavior and peers. Mediation effects were tested by using structural equation modeling. Different pathways were found depending on the type of externalizing behavior. The association between attachment and aggressive behavior was entirely mediated by cognitive distortions. The relation between attachment and delinquency was fully mediated by deviant peers and partly by parental monitoring. These results show that interventions targeting antisocial behavior should account for different underlying mechanisms that explain the relation between attachment and aggressive and delinquent behavior. Consequently, in order to reduce aggressive behavior, cognitive distortions should be an important focus, whereas targeting delinquent behavior, one should focus on the social network of youths.

Authors

• Sanne Lise Anne de Vries, University of Amsterdam

• Machteld Hoeve, University of Amsterdam

• Geert Jan G.J. Stams, University of Amsterdam

• Jessica J. Asscher, University of Amsterdam