MOTHER-ADOLESCENT CONFLICT IN TAIWAN: LINKS BETWEEN ATTACHMENT STYLE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS

Abstract

We examined the link between attachment style and psychological distress of adolescents in conflict with their mothers through pathways of cognition, emotion, and coping strategies. Participants were 613 eighth graders from northern Taiwan. Results of structural equation modeling indicated that the relationship between secure versus insecure attachment and psychological distress was mediated by avoidance and approach coping. There was a direct path from secure and dismissive attachment styles to avoidance coping as well as approach coping and secure and dismissive attachment styles were not linked to negative emotion and threat appraisal. There was a direct path from preoccupied and fearful attachment styles to approach coping and an indirect path to avoidance coping via negative emotion. Threat appraisal acted as a mediator between preoccupied attachment and psychological distress.