Affect Regulation and Attachment Strategies of Adjudicated and Non-Adjudicated Adolescents and Their Parents

Authors: Keiley M.K.¹; Seery B.L.²

Source: Contemporary Family Therapy, Volume 23, Number 3, September 2001 , pp. 343-366(24)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This exploratory qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with adjudicated and non-adjudicated adolescents and their parents to identify: (1) different behavioral manifestations of affect regulation and attachment interactions as described by respondents; and (2) interactional patterns that we might wish to target in a therapeutic intervention. Parents used more functional internal affect regulation strategies, while adolescents relied on less functional ones. Most respondents used functional external affect regulation strategies, such as direct communication. Approximately half of them used more dysfunctional strategies, such as yelling and aggression. Most of the adolescents used at least one secure attachment strategy in their relationships with their parents, but the majority also used avoidant or ambivalent strategies. Almost half of the parents described secure strategies in their relationships with their adolescents, while the remainder indicated using insecure.

Keywords: adolescents; parents; conduct disorder; affect regulation; attachment

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, 1269 Fowler House, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1269 2: Assistant Professor of Family Studies, Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Publication date: 2001-09-01