Parental attachment among Chinese, Italian, and Costa Rican adolescents: A cross-cultural study

Abstract

The present study investigated the cultural and gender differences in parental attachment and preferred attachment figure. The revised version of Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA-R) was administered to Chinese (N=350), Italian (N=352), and Costa Rican (N=343) adolescents. The results indicated that: (1) the three-factor model of maternal and paternal attachment was optimal; (2) the factor structures of maternal and paternal attachment of IPPA-R were equivalent across countries; (3) Italian adolescents’ maternal attachment was stronger than Costa Rican adolescents, who, in turn, scored greater than did Chinese adolescents; (4) boys scored higher on Communication of paternal attachment than did girls; and (5) Chinese adolescents were less attached to mother than to father. In conclusion, the current research confirms that parental attachment in adolescents is culturally different.