Pathways to Emotional Well-Being and Adjustment in Adolescence: The Role of Parent Attachment and Competence

Abstract

This study examined competence as a mediator between parent attachment (mother and father) and psychological well-being and adjustment of adolescents. A total of 282 high school students from the city of Ankara completed the self-report measures of parent attachment, competence, positive and negative affect, and adjustment. Using structural equation modeling, a model was examined in which competence mediated the link between parental attachment and well-being and adjustment of adolescents. Results from structural equation modeling analyses indicated that competence fully mediated the relationship between attachment to mother and well-being and partially mediated the relationship between attachment to mother and adjustment. On the contrary, attachment to father associated directly with adjustment. These findings suggested that parent attachment foster adolescent well-being and adjustment by promoting high level of competence.