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Insecure Attachment and Psychological Distress in Early Adolescence: Loneliness as a Mediator
1Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, National Pingtung University, Pingtung, Taiwan.
Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy
|June 25, 2025
Summary
Insecure attachment to parents and peers is linked to adolescent psychological distress, with loneliness playing a key mediating role. Interventions should address both attachment security and social connection for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Attachment research traditionally focuses on Western adults and parental bonds, neglecting adolescent development.
- Early adolescence is a critical period for social-emotional adjustment with lasting impacts into adulthood.
- Understanding insecure attachment's role in adolescent distress is crucial for timely interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between insecure attachment (anxious and avoidant) to mothers, fathers, and peers and psychological distress in early adolescents.
- To examine the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between insecure attachment and psychological distress.
- To extend attachment theory by considering multiple relationship figures during adolescence.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 813 junior high school students completed self-report measures for attachment, loneliness, and psychological distress.
- Structural equation modeling was used to test mediation models examining direct and indirect pathways.
- Validated scales included the Relationships Structures Questionnaire, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and DASS-21.
Main Results:
- Insecure attachment styles (anxious and avoidant) were moderately positively correlated.
- Insecure attachment to mothers and fathers significantly predicted psychological distress, mediated by loneliness.
- Loneliness significantly mediated the relationship between anxious attachment to mothers/fathers and psychological distress, explaining substantial variance.
- Avoidant peer attachment showed a negative association with distress, unlike other insecure attachment types.
Conclusions:
- Insecure attachment during early adolescence is associated with psychological distress, with loneliness being a significant mediator.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering multiple attachment figures and the role of loneliness in adolescent mental health.
- Interventions should target attachment security and social connection to mitigate psychological distress in early adolescents.
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