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Published on: September 19, 2019
The relationship between life events during adolescence and affect and personality functioning
B A Stein1, P Marton, H Golombek
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario.
Summary
Adolescent dysphoria and personality issues are linked to family changes impacting attachment figures. These disturbances appear in early and late adolescence, with middle adolescence showing fewer problems.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Adolescent Psychiatry
Background:
- Bowlby's internal working model explains self-concept and security through relationships.
- Insecure attachments can cause dysphoria and impaired personality functioning.
- Adolescence is a critical period for developing dysphoria and personality disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between family changes and adolescent emotional/personality development.
- To investigate the timing of these disturbances across early, middle, and late adolescence.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 59 adolescents across three stages: early, middle, and late adolescence.
- Assessed affect, attitudes, and personality functions.
- Collected data on family status and life events.
Main Results:
- Early adolescence: Family changes correlated with internalized and externalized affect changes.
- Middle adolescence: Showed no significant correlations with affect or personality issues.
- Late adolescence: Family changes linked to personality dysfunction and dysphoria.
Conclusions:
- Threats to attachment figures due to family changes are associated with emotional and behavioral issues in early adolescence.
- These family changes also correlate with personality dysfunction and dysphoria in late adolescence.
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