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Perceived attachment security to parents and peer victimization: Does adolescent's aggressive behaviour make a
Maryse Guedes1, António J Santos1, Olívia Ribeiro1
1William James Center for Research, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Portugal.
Journal of Adolescence
|April 9, 2018
Summary
Victimized adolescents are not a uniform group. Aggressive victims show more anxious withdrawal and lower parent attachment security than non-aggressive victims or non-victims.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Social Behavior
Background:
- Peer victimization is a significant issue during adolescence.
- Distinguishing between aggressive and non-aggressive victims is crucial for understanding their distinct social and family functioning.
- Limited research exists on the differences in social behavior and parental attachment among these victim subgroups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the social behavior and perceived attachment security to parents of Portuguese adolescents.
- To differentiate between aggressive victims, non-aggressive victims, and non-victims based on social functioning and parental relationships.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 222 Portuguese adolescents (115 boys, 107 girls) participated.
- Perceived attachment security was assessed using the Kerns Security Scale.
- Social behavior was evaluated using the Extended Class Play instrument.
Main Results:
- Aggressive and non-aggressive victims differed in anxious withdrawal, but not in peer exclusion or prosocial behavior.
- Only aggressive victims reported lower attachment security with both mother and father compared to non-victims.
- Age and sex were controlled for in the analyses.
Conclusions:
- Victimized adolescents represent a heterogeneous group with varying social and family functioning profiles.
- Aggressive victimization is uniquely associated with poorer attachment security and higher anxious withdrawal.
- Understanding these differences is vital for targeted interventions for victimized youth.