Parental attachment and identity in Portuguese late adolescents

Based on a life-span attachment perspective and on identity status paradigm , this study investigated the relationship between attachment and identity in a sample of 361 Portuguese late adolescents as a function of parental an d adolescent gender. The results indicated gender differences in the associ ation between attachment variables and identity foreclosure. Although adole scents tended to report close emotional bonds with both parents, relationsh ips with mothers seemed to play an important role in the tendency for forec losure identity in boys. Adolescents who were in diffusion reported the lea st secure parental attachment and experienced the least separation anxiety. Parental inhibition of exploration and individuality, as perceived by adol escents, did not correlate with the identity dimensions. (C) 1999 The Assoc iation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.