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Gepubliceerd in:

05-01-2019 | Original Paper

Secure Base Representations among Inner-City Adolescents

Auteurs: Patricia A. Richardson, Kelsey Sala-Hamrick, Valerie Simon, Douglas Barnett

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 3/2019

Abstract

Objectives

Previous literature highlights attachment security as a key antecedent of early affective regulation that is frequently associated with positive socioemotional outcomes in early childhood. Less is known of attachment in adolescence, particularly within underserved, stress-exposed families. The current study investigated relations among adolescents’ secure base knowledge (an indicator of secure attachment), internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, and stress and trauma exposure.

Methods

Participants were 83 inner-city adolescents (ages 13–18 years; 72.3% African American) and one of their primary caregivers (75.9% biological mothers). Secure base knowledge was assessed utilizing the Attachment Script Assessment (ASA).

Results

After controlling for adolescents’ exposure to potentially stressful or traumatic events, secure base knowledge uniquely predicted fewer internalizing, but not externalizing, problems. Analyses controlled for youth receptive vocabulary, age, and gender.

Conclusions

This study provides further evidence that youth attachment security contributes uniquely to fewer youth internalizing problems even within the context of numerous contextual risks. Furthermore, results add to the understanding the utility of the ASA among youth in an urban context.

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Titel: Secure Base Representations among Inner-City Adolescents
Auteurs: Patricia A. Richardson
Kelsey Sala-Hamrick
Valerie Simon
Douglas Barnett
Publicatiedatum: 05-01-2019
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 3/2019
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-01312-5

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