Attachment and friendship-relations in adolescence

Attachment research has shown a variety of relations between attachment quality in infancy and the qualities of later peer-relations up to middle childhood but little has been reported about similar findings in adolescence. In this study attachment representation of adolescents was assessed by means of the Adult Attachment Interview. Q-sort-ratings of the adolescents themselves and of their best friends about them were compared regarding ego-resiliency, hostility and single items describing social behavior. In addition their self-image was assessed with a questionaire. Adolescents with secure attachment representations showed more congruence in the Q-sort descriptions between self- and friend-rating, they showed a higher level of ego-resiliency, a lower level of hostility, and judged themselves to be better able to establish close and supporting relationships than their insecure counterparts. Concerning their self-image, secure adolescents reported more general content with themselves and more positive social behavior towards peers. Results are discussed within the framework of attachment theory.