Relationship of Attachment Styles and Locus of Control among Third Year Girls of Secondary School

Abstract

Background: Attachment is an emotional bonding between child and his mother and quality of this relationship may impact the psychological wellbeing of child in next steps of life. Main purpose of this study was to study the Relation of attachment styles (secure, avoidant, anxious and ambivalent) and locus of control (Internal-External) among third year girls of secondary school in Iran. Materials and Methods: The Sample of the present research was selected by Random sampling method from 3 educational regions north, center and south of Tehran. The total sample consisted of 305 students. Two questionnaires were used, including revised Adult attachment scale (secure, avoidant and anxious/ambivalent) by Collins and read (1990) and locus of control questionnaire by Julian Rotter (1966-1972). Regarding analysis of Hypothesis, Pearson correlation test and multiple regression were conducted. Results: The result indicated that secure attachment style maintains no relationship with internal locus of control. While, avoidant attachment style maintain a meaningful positive relation with external locus of Control. No meaningful relation was found between attachment style and locus of control adolescents and their parent’s age. A positive meaningful relation was found between adolescents’ attachment style and their parent’s educational levels. Father’s high educational level (MSc, PhD) showed a positive relation with anxious/ambivalent attachment style. Additionally, fathers’ low educational level (diploma and lower degrees), showed a positive relation with secure attachment style. The mother’s high educational level showed positive relation with anxious ambivalent attachment style. No relation was found between adolescent locus of control and parent’s education and parent’s job.