Children - Adolescents 7-18 Years.

Attachment to Parents and Adjustment in Adolescence: Literature Review and Policy Implications (1008 KB)

Secure attachment has been increasingly recognized as central to adaptive functioning over the life span. During the last two decades, researchers have clarified the role of attachment security in promoting psychological well-being during infancy and adulthood. Most recently, attention has turned toward understanding the role of attachment with parents to healthy adjustment during adolescence.

This paper presents a critical review of the research literature on the relation between attachment to parents during adolescence and social adjustment, and summarizes the recommendations for healthy parenting practices, government programming and research.

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Parent-Child Relationships and Adjustment in Adolescence: Findings from the HBSC Cycle 3 and NLSCY Cycle 2 Studies

The primary focus of this project was to examine developmental changes in parent-child relationships, and their associations with child adjustment between late childhood and mid-adolescence. These questions were addressed using data from two large, nationally representative samples of Canadian children and adolescents. Recommendations for healthy parenting practices and government initiatives are summarized.

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Parent/Adolescent Relationships and Identity Development: Literature Review and Policy Statement

This paper includes a critical review of research literature linking relationships between parent/adolescent relationships, adolescent identity formation, and physical and emotional health within dimensions of the cultural context. We point out both what is known, and what needs be studied further. The paper is written with a culture-identity link and has its foundations within original conceptualizations offered by Erik H. Erikson and Margaret Mead and empirical research in sociology, psychology, family studies and other allied social and behavioural sciences. Recommendations for actions regarding what society, parents, and adolescents should know and do are provided.