Abstract
This study examined whether adolescents' closeness to adoptive parents (APs) predicted attachment styles in close relationships outside their family during young adulthood. In a longitudinal study of domestic infant adoptions, closeness to adoptive mother and adoptive father was assessed in 156 adolescents (M=15.7years). Approximately 9 years later (M=25.0years), closeness to parents was assessed again as well as attachment style in their close relationships. Multilevel modeling was used to predict attachment style in young adulthood from the average and discrepancy of closeness to adolescents' adoptive mothers and fathers and the change over time in closeness to APs. Less avoidant attachment style was predicted by stronger closeness to both APs during adolescence. Increased closeness to APs over time was related to less anxiety in close relationships. Higher closeness over time to either AP was related to less avoidance and anxiety in close relationships.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 221-232 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Family relations |
Volume | 64 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 National Council on Family Relations.
Keywords
- Adolescence
- Adoption
- Attachment styles
- Close relationships
- Young adulthood