The Influence of Divergent Parental Attachment Styles on Adolescent Maturation

Abstract

The literature on parent–adolescent attachment relationships has proliferated in recent years and has found associations between secure, positive attachment and lower mental health difficulties, more meaningful relationships, and increased career and educational success. In contrast, those adolescents who have failed to form meaningful attachments with caregivers appear to struggle in these areas. It is important for family counselors to understand the role that attachment plays across the life span, but particularly in adolescence, as new relationships develop and relationships change. In addition, family counselors may struggle with boundary issues in counseling situations where insecure attachments are of clinical concern. Thus, this article serves as a review of the most current theory and research in the area of parent–adolescent attachment, as well as implications for family counselors—specifically, incorporating attachment into their conceptualization of cases where the adolescent is the identified client and establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries with their adolescent clients.