Attachment and control in family and mentoring contexts as determinants ofadolescent adjustment to college

This study examined whether adolescents' perceptions of attachment security and behavioral and psychological control as experienced in family and ment oring contexts are predictive of their adjustment to college. One hundred f ifty-eight academically at-risk adolescents (63 men and 95 women, 16-20 yea rs old) completed questionnaires twice during their first semester: before and after they participated in a mentoring program. Analyses yielded 4 find ings: (a) Paternal control was predictive of adolescent adjustment to colle ge; (b) above and beyond perceptions of parental attachment and control, pe rception of a secure relationship with a mentor was predictive of adolescen t adjustment; (c) this relationship was found to be stronger for adolescent s who reported having high levels of security in the relationship with thei r mother; and (d) psychological control by both parents appeared to be a si gnificant determinant of academic achievement.