ATTACHMENT, COPING, AND EXPLANATORY STYLE IN LATE ADOLESCENCE

Using self-report data from 157 college students, we rested hypotheses regarding the relative importance of perceived security in early pare ntal relationships vs. security in adult (nonparental) relationships f or understanding respondents' coping dispositions and explanatory styl es. In general, more secure attachments were positively related to sup port-seeking and active problem-solving coping styles and to females' but not males' tendency to explain hypothetical successes and failures in a positive or self-enhancing manner. Security of adult (nonparenta l) attachments had stronger associations with young women's coping str ategies than did security of early attachment to parents, whereas the reverse was true for males-a finding we interpret in terms of girls' e arlier development of emotional autonomy from parents and closer ties to friends. Security of early attachment to father appeal ed to have i mportant implications for young men's willingness to turn to others fo r support.