Attachment
How teenage relationships affect mental health and risk-taking
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
Teenagers who feel secure in their relationships with parents, friends, and romantic partners have better mental health and lower rates of substance use than those with insecure relationships.
Key findings
The study identified five distinct profiles, with the largest group representing 39% of adolescents who felt secure across all relationships. Adolescents with entirely secure relationships reported the fewest mental health issues, while the 11% in the fully insecure group experienced the highest levels of depression, anxiety, and anger control problems. Insecure relationships with parents predicted higher substance use and anger issues, even if friendships were secure, though secure friendships did help buffer against depression.
Methodology
The researchers surveyed 449 Finnish adolescents aged 17 to 19 to examine their attachment patterns. They measured levels of anxiety and avoidance toward mothers, fathers, best friends, and romantic partners. They then used these ratings to identify distinct relationship profiles and compared them against measures of mental health, substance use, and risky sexual behavior.
Limitations
Because this study is cross-sectional, it cannot prove that attachment security directly causes better mental health or lower substance use. The sample also consisted of relatively privileged Finnish youth with highly educated parents, meaning the results might not apply to more diverse or high-risk populations. Additionally, the statistical criteria for determining the five specific relationship profiles were somewhat ambiguous, suggesting adolescent attachment dynamics could be even more complex.
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