title: Individual differences in attachment-autonomy configurations: linkages with substance use and youth competencies.
abstract: Variations in attachment-autonomy configurations are explored as these relate to substance use and several adolescent competencies. Questionnaires completed by 470 university students included measures of parental attachment, autonomy (both emotional autonomy and self-reliance), substance use, problems associated with substance use, social competencies, and coping. Analyses of subgroups representing four attachment-autonomy patterns, derived from cluster analysis, showed higher competency levels and fewer problems related to substance use for the group combining strong attachment and self-reliance coupled with low levels of emotional autonomy. A subgroup characterized by low father but moderate mother attachment security differed in a number of ways from a subgroup reporting low attachment to both parents. Findings support the utility of a typological approach in investigations of adolescent attachment and autonomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
authors.forename: Ji-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010553:Personality Development; D012649:Self Concept; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires