ATTACHMENT STYLES OF ADOLESCENTS: CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

The Study was designed to explore the attachment styles of adolescents in relation to the parenting styles. The sample of the study was 179 (81 females and 98 males) respondents. A demographic sheet, adult attachment scale, and parental authority questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data was analyzed by using mean and t-test. It was found that there is no significant difference in attachment styles of adolescents. Adolescents prefer avoidant attachment style. Authoritative paternal style and maternal styles was practiced by parents. Significant difference was found for father’s authoritarian style and mother’s authoritative and permissive styles. Father’s were more authoritarian for male child. Mother’s were more authoritative for female child and permissive for male child. It was concluded that the adolescent’s age is the main factor of the study findings.