Instrumental and social/relational correlates of perceived maternal and paternal attachment in adolescence

This study investigated the relationship of the affective and fostering of autonomy components of maternal and paternal attachment with indices of instrumental and social/relational competence among 172 10th and 12th grade male (75) and female (97) students. Sons and daughters rated fathers higher than mothers on fostering of autonomy. Consistent with traditional gender-role socialization, boys rated themselves higher than girls on several indices of instrumental competence, and girls rated themselves higher, in comparison with boys, on several indices of social/relational competence. Overall, the affective and fostering of autonomy dimensions of maternal and paternal attachment were associated with a range of instrumental and social/relational competencies. Parental attachments were associated with adolescent competencies in ways that are consistent with and that challenge traditional gender-role socialization. Copyright 2002 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.