Poster #151 - Revisiting the Link Between Attachment and Social Competence: The Role of Coping Styles

• In Event: 3-053 - Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: PS 10 Section - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Integrative Statement

The development of parent-child relationships begins very early. From the nature and quality of these relationships, certain attachment styles are formed and described as the fundamental bond between parent and child that is essential to survival and optimal development (Moretti & Peled, 2004). Prior research has suggested that attachment styles can predict many aspects of psychosocial development in childhood and adolescence such as friendship quality, romantic relationship quality, and coping strategies (Dawson et al., 2014). In particular, individuals with preoccupied attachment styles tend to have poorer quality relationships, are less trusting of others, and fear abandonment in close relationships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987; Simpson, 1990). However, perhaps those who are able to adapt positive coping skills may reduce their likelihood of experiencing low quality relationships. The purpose of this study is to examine the development of social and intimate competence based on attachment styles and to determine whether positive coping skills may mediate this relationship.

Methods
Multi-informant longitudinal data were obtained for a community sample of 184 adolescents (86 males, 98 females) at age 14 with follow-up data at ages 21 and 25. The sample is demographically diverse (63% European-American, 27% African-American, and 14% mixed race or other race/ethnicities; baseline median family income was in the $40,000-$59,000 range). The Adolescent Attachment Interview was administered at age 14 to assess preoccupied attachment style. At age 21, participants completed the COPE Inventory (Carver et al., 1989) to assess adaptive coping strategies including active coping and use of emotional support. At age 25, participants completed additional psychosocial assessments including the Adult Self-Perception Profile (Messer & Harter, 1986) to assess intimate competence and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (Armsden, 1987) to assess trust in close relationships.

Results
Multiple regression analyses were conducted controlling for gender and family income. Analyses suggest that preoccupied attachment at age 14 was significantly related to less trust in others and lower intimate competence at age 25. In addition, greater use of adaptive coping skills at age 21 predicted relatively greater trust in close others and greater intimate competence at age 25. When coping style was included as a mediator in regression analyses, previously significant associations between preoccupied attachment and trust were reduced suggesting a mediation of these effects (Figures 1 and 2).

Discussion
Both preoccupied attachment and coping strategies have the potential to predict important social competences. Results suggest that adaptive coping strategies may mediate the relationship between preoccupied individuals and certain psychosocial outcomes (i.e., trust in others). Findings support previous research suggesting that attachment is linked to social awareness, empathy, the formation of relationships, and coping skills (Liable, 2007). Perhaps adolescents who are able to develop adaptive coping skills may develop a more secure attachment style and fewer trust issues. Further analysis of coping as a predictor of attachment and social competencies is warranted. Implications of these findings highlighting the importance of learning adaptive coping strategies to alleviate some of the negative effects associated with preoccupied attachment for future research and practice will be discussed.

Authors

• Jessica Kansky, University of Virginia
  Presenting Author

• Emily DelGuercio, James Madison University
  Non-Presenting Author

• David E. Szwedo, James Madison University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Joseph Allen, University of Virginia
  Non-Presenting Author