Attachment and emotion regulation during mother-teen problem solving: a control theory analysis.
We present a control theory analysis of adolescents' attachment strategies in the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). In Study 1, Q-sort prototypes for secure/anxious and deactivating/hyperactivating strategies were used to differentiate between Main and Goldwyn's AAI classifications. In Study 2, we examined how AAI strategies were associated with emotion regulation during mother-teen problem solving. 4 aspects of mother-teen problem solving (dysfunctional anger, support/validation, avoidance of problem solving, and maternal dominance) were used to predict teens' AAI strategies. Teens with secure strategies engaged in problem-solving discussions characterized by less dysfunctional anger and less avoidance of problem solving. In addition, attachment security showed a curvilinear relation with maternal dominance, indicating that secure teens maintained balanced assertiveness with their mothers. Teens with deactivating strategies engaged in problem-solving interactions characterized by higher levels of maternal dominance and dysfunctional anger. The contribution of attachment strategies to teens' autonomy and to transformations in mother-teen relationships is discussed.
Kobak
R R
RR
Department of Psychology, University of Delaware, Newark 19716.
Cole
H E
HE
Ferenz-Gillies
R
R
Fleming
W S
WS
Gamble
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D011340:Problem Solving; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012737:Sex Factors