Elsevier

Journal of Adolescence

Volume 25, Issue 2, April 2002, Pages 203-219
Journal of Adolescence

Regular Article
Instrumental and social/relational correlates of perceived maternal and paternal attachment in adolescence

https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.2002.0461Get rights and content

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship of the affective and fostering of autonomy components of maternal and paternal attachment with indices of instrumental and social/relational competence among 172 10th and 12th grade male (75) and female (97) students. Sons and daughters rated fathers higher than mothers on fostering of autonomy. Consistent with traditional gender-role socialization, boys rated themselves higher than girls on several indices of instrumental competence, and girls rated themselves higher, in comparison with boys, on several indices of social/relational competence. Overall, the affective and fostering of autonomy dimensions of maternal and paternal attachment were associated with a range of instrumental and social/relational competencies. Parental attachments were associated with adolescent competencies in ways that are consistent with and that challenge traditional gender-role socialization. Copyright 2002 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

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    Reprint requests and correspondence should be addressed to: Maureen E. Kenny, Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, Campion Hall 308, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, U.S.A. (E-mail: [email protected]).

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    Copyright © 2002 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.