Role of family and attachment in predicting functioning among late adolescents

Pages: 342-347
Nimesh Mohan George and Neelkanth B. Bankar (Department of Psychology & Counselling Center, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra)

Adolescence is among the most critical developmental stages one goes through in one’s life cycle, being the stage where ones identity is formed on the threshold of increased responsibilities and absolute autonomy of adulthood. And therefore adolescents in this phase are vulnerable to significant distress and impaired adaptability. Family relations and attachment dynamics immensely contribute to increased functioning and well-being. The present study intended to delineate the specific familial and attachment process which are related to functioning among specific age category of late adolescents. It also intended to major familial and attachment which determine functioning. Late adolescents between the age of 16 and 19 years constituted the sample. Colorado self-report measure of family functioning was used to assess family functioning, attachment scale questionnaire was used to assess attachment dimensions and general health questionnaire was used to assess functioning among adolescents. The results revealed that there was a significant relation between all dimensions of family functioning and attachment scale to functioning of adolescents. Expressiveness and confidence predicted increased functioning while external locus of control, enmeshment, active recreational orientation, preoccupation and need for approval predicted reduced functioning. The results reaffirm that familial and attachment factors significantly contribute to functioning and well-being among adolescents.