M. Mikulincer et M. Selinger, The interplay between attachment and affiliation systems in adolescents' same-sex friendships: The role of attachment style, J SOC PERS, 18(1), 2001, pp. 81-106
Three studies examined attachment-style differences in the interplay betwee
n attachment and affiliation systems within adolescents' same-sex friendshi
ps. In Study 1, adolescents completed attachment-style scales and reported
on the rewards involved in a same-sex friendship, as well as on attachment
features of this relationship. In Studies 2 and 3, adolescents completed at
tachment-style scales, visualized an interaction with their best same-sex f
riend under either attachment or affiliation contexts, and reported on the
motives they pursued in such an interaction. Findings indicated that secure
adolescents attached high importance to both attachment and affiliation go
als in friendship, anxious-ambivalent adolescents overemphasized attachment
goals, and avoidant adolescents gave low importance to the two types of go
als. In addition, whereas secure adolescents were responsive to affiliation
and attachment contexts, insecure adolescents showed less responsiveness t
o these contexts and their habitual working models guided their responses.
Results were discussed in terms of Bowlby's 'attachment-affiliation balance
'.