Influence of Parental Attachment on Adolescent Identity Styles Development

G.o Jimoh ,K O Adubi ,Afolabi W.a.o ,J T Eni-Olorunda

doi:10.7176/rhss/11-2-05

Abstract

Identity formation has been identified as one of the problems associated with socialization process during adolescence. Adolescents who receive proper encouragement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and the ones who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will feel insecure and confused. This study assessed the influence of parental attachment on identity style development among students in public senior secondary schools in Ogun state. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 396 adolescents from four geo-political zones in Ogun state. Adapted questionnaires (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment and Identity Style Inventory (IPPA) and Identity Style Inventory (ISI-) were used to elicit information from the respondents on parental attachment and identity styles. Data were analysed using multiple regression. The study was able to establish that maternal and paternal attachment fosters informative identity style (standardized beta weight of .259 and .268) and normative identity styles (standardized beta weight of .206 and .224) in adolescents but not diffuse avoidant identity style (standardized beta weight of .101 and -.037). The study therefore recommends Programs should be developed which will aim at sensitizing parents on the neurocognitive, social and emotional changes that occurs during adolescence and how their continued responsiveness to their adolescent needs impact their identity development. Keywords: attachment, normative, informative, diffuse-avoidant DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-2-05 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

Highlights

Adolescence is seen as a stage of development filled with opportunities and risk
Hypothesis HO1: There is no significant relationship between informative identity style and parental attachment HO2: There is no significant relationship between normative identity style and parental attachment HO3: There is no significant relationship between diffuse avoidant identity style and parental attachment
HO1: There is no significant relationship between informative identity style and parental attachment Table 1: Correlations between maternal and paternal attachment on informative identity style

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence is seen as a stage of development filled with opportunities and risk. In the field of human development, adolescence is recognised as the second major development in significance to early childhood development. Some researchers are of the opinion that parents make little or no difference in how their adolescents children navigate this period since data had shown that peer influence govern this period (Larson et al, 1996). Contrary to this opinion, there is growing research evidence that parents do contribute significantly during this period and that this contribution can be reflected in their attachment bond with their child (Markiewicz, 2006). Successful transition from adolescence to adulthood cannot be achieved through detachment from parents but by secure attachment and emotional connectedness with parents (Moretti et al, 2004)

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