THE COGNITIVE ORGANIZATION OF THE ATTACHMENT SYSTEM AND THE PREDICTION OF PERCEPTION AND SOLICITATION OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN ADOLESCENCE

Attachment theory suggests that the cognitive organization of the atta chment system influences the development of perceptions of social supp ort and assistance-seeking behaviours. Thirty-six college students wer e interviewed (Entrevue sur l'Attachement a l'age Adulte), 28 of whom filled out questionnaires regarding perception of support. Peer assess ments were obtained for each of the 36 participants regarding their as sistance-seeking behaviour. Each participant received an attachment av oidance score and a concerned/involved attachment score. Attachment av oidance is associated with dissatisfaction regarding the assistance re ceived, distrust of the person offering the help and lack of access to help from the professor. Concemed/involved attachment is also associa ted with desire and the significance of receiving support. The results , varying depending upon the origin of the assessment, are discussed w ith reference to the core cognitive mechanisms of these two types of a ttachment.