Gender differences in adolescent attachment representations
by Marin, Kelly A., Ph.D., EMORY UNIVERSITY, 2008, 81 pages; 3311789

Abstract:

The objective of the present study was to examine possible gender differences in adolescent attachment representations using the Secure Base Script Assessment developed by Harriet Waters and colleagues (Waters & Rodrigues, 2001, 2004). Stories were collected from 59 adolescents (13-16 years; 32 males and 27 females). Analyses were conducted to examine overall gender differences in secure base as well as relations between secure base and gendered themes (support, emotion, resolution, and orientation). Adolescents had scores on the support, emotion, and resolution dimensions for the father stories than they did for the mother stories. Adolescents had higher orientation scores for the masculine perspective than the feminine perspective. Males had higher scores on the emotional expression scale than did females. With regard to the relations between secure base and gendered themes, the results suggest that female and male adolescents look similar on the support seeking scale for the mother stories, yet for the father stories, males and females look like the opposite of what was predicted. Secure male and female adolescents look similar on the emotion expression dimension for the father stories. Although there were few differences between adolescent males and females, both males and females displayed differences in attachment representations as a function of the gender of the parent. Implications for understanding attachment representations, within the developmental period of adolescence, are discussed.

 
AdviserRobyn Fivush
SchoolEMORY UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/B 69-04, p. , Aug 2008
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsDevelopmental psychology
Publication Number3311789
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