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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Adolescents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 51053

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Prof. Adriana Lis

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Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
Interests: attachment; cross-cultural studies in children and adolescents; personality assessment
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Dear Colleagues,

During adolescence, a multi-system transitional process develops, involving progression from the immaturity and social dependency of childhood into adult life, with the goal and expectation of fulfilled developmental potential, personal agency, social accountability, and integration of self-identity and self-development. It is challenging transition period of rapid and considerable developmental changes, which involves significant transformations in almost every domain of functioning. Significant transformations occur in biological development, in neurological structure and function, and in cognitive development, with an increasing capacity for abstract thinking and problem solving and in metacognitive and representational capacity. Alongside these rapid changes, adolescents enter a new social–psychological phase of life, with an increasing reliance on peers for intimacy and support along with a growing investment in relationships toward becoming more autonomous and independent from family. During periods of rapid development, research shows that parental sensitivity and support are critical in ‘scaffolding’ children to the next level of functioning. For this reason, parents remain a fundamental source of emotional support for their adolescent children.

Adolescence is associated with the onset or exacerbation of a number of health-related problems, including depression, eating disorders, substance dependence, risky sexual abuse and behavior, antisocial and delinquent activity, and dropout from school. Moreover, increased mental health problems in adolescents compromise their development and future potential. Psychological studies have demonstrated that the context in which an individual develops is of great importance in understanding and conceptualizing child developmental constructs. Among the numerous factors which may contribute to adolescents’ mental health problems are family contextual factors on adolescent relationships, such as parenting styles, parenting practices, and attachment relationships. Positive, engaged, sensitive parenting has been uniquely associated with adolescents’ better emotional regulation, fewer conduct problems, and lower emotional distress. Positive parenting includes experiences shared among family members, expressed positive emotions, positive behaviors, expressed warmth, perceived closeness and cohesion, supportiveness, responsiveness, perceived acceptance, and parental attachment security. Specifically, parental attachment refers to an affectional bond with primary caregivers that develops in the early years of life (Bowlby, 1969), but it still continues to influence individual psychological adjustment during adolescence as demonstrated by the association between attachment security and the development of adolescent emotional and problem behaviors in adolescents. In addition, an extensive body of research highlights the links between attachment security in adolescents and their behavioral and psychosocial outcomes later in life. However, new contributions are needed.

This Special Issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the current state of knowledge on the links (a) between attachment and other family factors, and (b) between attachment and risk and well-being in adolescence. New research papers, reviews, methodological papers are all welcome.

Dr. Adriana Lis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

adolescents
attachment
emotions
family assessment
family cultural values and orientation
family processes
parenting styles
psychological maladjustment

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Related Special Issue

2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (16 articles)

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 563 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Desistance from Crime among Chinese Delinquents: The Integrated Effects of Family Bonding, Prosocial Models, and Religious Bonding

by Grace W. Y. Au and Dennis S. W. Wong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5894; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105894 - 12 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2538

Abstract

Desistance from crime is a popular topic in global criminological research; however, few studies have focused on desistance among delinquent youth, particularly in non-Western societies. This study extends the current knowledge by examining pathways of youth desistance in Hong Kong. Thirty delinquent youth and six parent–child dyads were interviewed, and the study found that filial piety significantly impacts the process of youth desistance. Three main forms of social capital were closely associated with youth desistance: the revival of reciprocal family bonding, the presence of a prosocial role model, and religious bonding. An interactive model was constructed to illustrate the seven stages of desistance and highlight the key elements for successful desistance among youth delinquents in Hong Kong. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

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11 pages, 1089 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anxiety in Attachment and Sexual Relationships in Adolescence: A Moderated Mediation Model

by Alessandra Santona, Alberto Milesi, Giacomo Tognasso, Laura Gorla and Laura Parolin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4181; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074181 - 31 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2745

Abstract

Adolescence is characterized by several transformations, such as identity construction, progressive estrangement from parents, relational interest in peers, and body changes that also involve sexuality issues. In this process, attachment patterns play a fundamental role in relationships, and when these are dysfunctional, they can result in internalizing and externalizing problems. Often, females show their relational difficulties through internalizing expressions and males through externalizing expressions. Additionally, given the sexual progress involved in this life moment, psychological symptomatology may influence adolescents’ perception of sex and performance. Our purpose is to study the mediating role of internalizing and externalizing symptomatology in the relationship between attachment patterns and sexual and psychological dimensions. In addition, we investigated the moderating effect of the sex assigned at birth on this mediation model. n = 493 adolescents (38.3% males; Mage = 16.51; SD = 1.17) participated in the study. The results show a significant mediation effect of internalizing symptomatology on the relationship between attachment and sexual anxiety. Additionally, this effect is moderated significantly by assigned-at-birth sex. These results confirm that in adolescence, attachment patterns can influence adolescents’ perception of sex. The connection between these two psychological dimensions is influenced by symptomatologic expression. Further investigations are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

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14 pages, 364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Mechanism of Parent–Child Attachment to College Student Adversarial Growth

by Mi Tian, Ting Nie and Hengrui Liang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3847; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073847 - 24 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1914

Abstract

This study explores the impact of parent–child attachment mechanisms on adversarial growth among Chinese students. After Chinese college students start independent life away from their parents, they face adversity on their own. However, their original family always influences students’ methods for dealing with adversity and how they grow and mature. A survey of 364 college students found that parental trust and communication have positive impacts on adversarial growth through the improvement of self-identity, while parental alienation reduces self-identity and contributes negative effects on the adversarial growth of college students. Internal control personality has a negative moderating effect between parental trust, parental communication, and adversarial growth and a positive moderating effect between parental alienation and adversarial growth. Low internal control personality therefore has a positive influence on parental trust and communication on adversarial growth and decreases the negative influence of parental alienation. A substitution effect between internal control personality and parental attachment was also found. Different child personality requires different type of parent–child attachment relationship to maximize their ability to handle future adversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

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13 pages, 458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correspondence between Parents’ and Adolescents’ Sleep Duration

by Eunyoung Jeon and Nayoung Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031034 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2350

Abstract

This study explored the correspondence between adolescents’ sleep duration and that of their parents and identified the factors affecting the appropriate sleep duration for adolescents. The data of 795 adolescents from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015–2018) were analyzed. We used Cohen’s kappa coefficient to measure the correspondence between adolescents’ sleep duration and that of their parents. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting adequate sleep duration among adolescents. Our study found that factors such as adolescents’ gender, father’s education level, and drinking among adolescents and parents influenced the adolescents’ sleep duration. Second, a higher correspondence between the sleep duration of adolescents and that of mothers (Kappa = 0.213, p < 0.001) was found compared to that of fathers (Kappa = 0.064, p = 0.031). Finally, an adequate sleep duration among adolescents’ mothers was a major factor that influenced the adequate sleep duration of adolescents (OR = 2.494, 95% CI = 1.850–3.362, p < 0.001). Therefore, when organizing adolescent sleep education and management programs in various community sleep management institutions, the main caregiver’s sleep duration management and family drinking management should be combined. Additionally, gender equality awareness should be improved for parenting, including monitoring adolescents’ sleep accordingly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

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17 pages, 1038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adolescents’ Attachment to Parents and Reactive–Proactive Aggression: The Mediating Role of Alexithymia

by Elisa Mancinelli, Jian-Bin Li, Adriana Lis and Silvia Salcuni

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 13363; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413363 - 18 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4120

Abstract

Aggressive behaviors can serve different functions, which might be understood by distinguishing between reactive (RA) and proactive (PA) aggression. Few studies were conducted on adolescents’ family precursors and emotional processes associated with RA or PA. Accordingly, the current study compared RA and PA by evaluating their association with adolescents’ attachment to parents and alexithymia. N = 453 Italian adolescents aged 15–19 years (Mage = 16.48; SD = 0.69; 33.6% males) participated in the study filling in self-report measures. Results showed that PA and RA are significantly associated and that PA was higher among males. Moreover, four mediational models were performed to assess the influence of adolescents’ attachment to mothers vs. fathers on RA or PA, considering the mediating role of alexithymia. Gender was included as a covariate. Mediational models’ results showed a direct and indirect effect, through lower alexithymia, of adolescents’ attachment to mothers and fathers on RA. Differently, only attachment to mothers showed a direct effect on PA, while attachment to fathers only an indirect effect, mediated by lower alexithymia, on PA was shown. Findings support the greater relevance of emotional processes for RA while highlighting the differential contribution of adolescents’ attachment to mothers vs. fathers upon PA. Implications are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

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17 pages, 4261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Late Adolescents’ Attachment to Parents and Peers and Psychological Distress Resulting from COVID-19. A Study on the Mediation Role of Alexithymia

by Renata Tambelli, Silvia Cimino, Eleonora Marzilli, Giulia Ballarotto and Luca Cerniglia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(20), 10649; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010649 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4031

Abstract

The scientific literature has shown the key role played by attachment to parents and peers and difficulties in recognizing, processing, and regulating emotions (i.e., alexithymia) in the (mal-)adaptive psychological response to the COVID-19 pandemic during late adolescence. No study has yet explored the complex interplay between these variables. We recruited a sample of 454 late adolescents (Mage = 22.79, SD = 2.27) and assessed attachment to parents and peers, alexithymia, and peritraumatic distress due to COVID-19 through self-report instruments. Attachment to fathers and peers, but not to mothers, and alexithymia significantly predicted levels of peritraumatic distress. Alexithymia fully and partially mediated the effect of, respectively, attachment to mothers and attachment to peers on peritraumatic distress due to COVID-19. These findings suggested that intervention programs focused on the promotion of peer social relationships, supportive parent–adolescent relationships, and the ability to recognize and discriminate one’s own and others’ emotions are needed in helping late adolescents to face the current health emergency and preventing short- and long-term psychopathological consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

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19 pages, 727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cross-Cultural Study on Attachment and Adjustment Difficulties in Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Self-Control in Italy, Spain, China, and Poland

by Elisa Mancinelli, Hanna D. Liberska, Jian-Bin Li, José P. Espada, Elisa Delvecchio, Claudia Mazzeschi, Adriana Lis and Silvia Salcuni

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8827; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168827 - 21 Aug 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5099

Abstract

From a socio-ecological perspective, individuals are influenced by the interplay of individual, relational, and societal factors operating as a broader system. Thereby, to support youth adjustment during the critical adolescence period, the interplay between these factors should be investigated. This study aimed to investigate cross-cultural differences in adolescents’ maternal and paternal attachment, adolescents’ adjustment difficulties and self-control, and in their association. N = 1000 adolescents (mean (M) age = 16.94, SD = 0.48; 45.90% males) from China, Italy, Spain, and Poland participated by completing self-report measures. Results showed cross-country similarities and differences among the considered variables and their associative pattern. Moreover, conditional process analysis evaluating the association between maternal vs. paternal attachment and adjustment difficulties, mediated by self-control, and moderated by country, was performed. Maternal attachment directly, and indirectly through greater self-control, influenced adjustment difficulties in all four countries. This association was stronger among Spaniards. Paternal attachment influenced directly, and indirectly through self-control, on adolescents’ adjustment difficulties only in Italy, Spain, and Poland, and was stronger among Polish adolescents. For Chinese adolescents, paternal attachment solely associated with adjustment difficulties when mediated by self-control. Thus, results highlighted both similarities and differences across countries in the interplay between maternal vs. paternal attachment and self-control on adolescents’ adjustment difficulties. Implications are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

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Review

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15 pages, 371 KiB

Open AccessReview

Attachment and School Completion: Understanding Young People Who Have Dropped Out of High School and Important Factors in Their Re-Enrollment

by Gro Hilde Ramsdal and Rolf Wynn

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3938; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073938 - 25 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5044

Abstract

When students drop out of high school, this is often negative for their development as well as for society, as those who drop out have an increased risk of unemployment, health problems, and social problems. The aim of the present study was to synthesize knowledge regarding processes related to school dropout in general and school re-enrollment in particular. We performed a narrative review of the literature, focusing on Norwegian and Nordic studies, but we also included studies from other countries when relevant. We discussed the findings in relation to attachment theory and our own research on the topic. As a result, we identified five main challenges to upholding education-related goals in long-term dropout processes: lack of relatedness, overchallenged self-regulation capacity, compensating for a history of failure, wounded learner identities, and coping with prolonged stress. In conclusion, the identified challenges converged on the importance of belonging and social support. The prerequisite for addressing the challenges seemed to be the establishment of a trustful relationship between the students who have dropped out and at least one teacher, and preferably also with other supportive adults. These relationships may provide sufficient social support and aid the students’ motivation to complete school. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

22 pages, 869 KiB

Open AccessReview

Parental Attachment and Peer Relationships in Adolescence: A Systematic Review

by Elena Delgado, Cristina Serna, Isabel Martínez and Edie Cruise

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031064 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 21059

Abstract

According to attachment theory, children’s early experiences with their primary caregivers, in terms of protection and security, are the basis for socioemotional development and for the establishment of close relationships throughout their lives. During adolescence, friends and peers become a primary developmental environment, and thereby establishing quality bonds with peers will foster good psychological adjustment. The aim of the present study was to review the evidence on the relation of parental attachment to the quality of peer relationships during adolescence. A systematic review was conducted according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search was performed in the PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Inclusion criteria were studies published since 2001, in English, that are academic publications in scientific journals, that explore adolescence, and that analyze the relationship between attachment styles and adolescent peer interactions. The search resulted in 1438 studies, of which 19 studies met the criteria and were included in the review. The results highlighted that secure attachment predicts and promotes the creation of affective relationships with peers and friends based on communication, support, intimacy, trust, and quality. In addition, some variables, such as gender differences or family characteristics, were found to be involved in attachment and provide a better understanding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)

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