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When adolescents disagree with others about their symptoms: Differences in attachment organization as an explanation of discrepancies between adolescent, parent, and peer reports of behavior problems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2005

LAUREN E. BERGER ,
KATHLEEN M. JODL ,
JOSEPH P. ALLEN ,
KATHLEEN B. McELHANEY  and
GABRIEL P. KUPERMINC
LAUREN E. BERGER
Affiliation:
University of Denver
KATHLEEN M. JODL
Affiliation:
University of Michigan
JOSEPH P. ALLEN
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
KATHLEEN B. McELHANEY
Affiliation:
Davidson College
GABRIEL P. KUPERMINC
Affiliation:
Georgia State University
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Abstract

This study examined whether attachment theory could be used to shed light on the often high degree of discordance between self- and observer ratings of behavioral functioning and symptomatology. Interview-based assessments of attachment organization, using the Adult Attachment Interview, were examined as predictors of the lack of agreement between self- and other reports of behavioral and emotional problems among 176 moderately at-risk adolescents. Lack of agreement was measured in terms of concordance of adolescent and parent or close friend report on equivalent measures of behavioral and emotional adjustment. Insecure–dismissing attachment was linked to less agreement in absolute terms between self- and mother reports of externalizing symptoms, and between adolescent and close friend reports of behavioral conduct. Insecure–preoccupied attachment was associated with higher levels of adolescent reporting of internalizing and externalizing symptoms relative to parent reports of adolescent symptomatology. The findings suggest that attachment organization may be one factor that accounts for individual differences in the degree of discordance between self- and other reports of symptoms in adolescence.

Type
Research Article
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , June 2005 , pp. 509 - 528
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

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References

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