Attachment style and loneliness in adolescence

Possible associations between parent-child interaction and adolescent well- being have been explored from a number of theoretical perspectives. in the present study attachment theory was used as a general theoretical framework to study these associations with attention being concentrated on one parti cular aspect of adolescent well-being, i. e., loneliness and attitudes towa rds being alone. Measures of adolescent attachment style (based on ratings of both normal family scenes and stressful separation situations) and a mul tidimensional measure of loneliness were administered to two samples of Bel gian (Dutch-speaking) adolescents aged 15 to 18 (n=200 and n=357, respectiv ely). Subjects were classified into four attachment groups: Secure, Depende nt, Anxious-Ambivalent and Avoidant. Results indicated that Securely attach ed adolescents experienced lower levels of parent-related loneliness and th is effect extended to loneliness ib the relationships with peers. A version to being alone was experienced more strongly among Dependently attached ad olescents. Finally, adolescents wire evidenced Avoidant or Anxious-Ambivale nt attachment felt more positive about being on their own. Implications of these findings for attachment theory ai-e discussed and problems associated with the four-category model of attachment as used in the present study ar e outlined.