Attachment relationships and Internalizing and Externalizing problems among Italian adolescents

This study examined the relationship between parent and peer attachment and Internalizing and Externalizing problems in a sample of 816 adolescents (413 males and 403 females) aged 11-19. years old. Their responses to the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment indexed attachment quality, and Internalizing and Externalizing problems were measured by the Youth Self-Report. Our analyses revealed: a) gender differences in attachment to parents, with females reporting stronger attachment than males, and age differences in attachment to parent and peer, with middle adolescents reporting stronger attachment than adolescents; b) gender differences in Internalizing problems and Total problems, with females reporting higher scores than males, and age differences, with adolescents reporting higher scores than middle adolescents. Internalizing problems were predicted by Alienation by parents and Trust (IPPA-Peer) dimension in the expected directions, and Externalizing problems were predicted only by parental attachment dimensions. Results showed that adolescents with comorbid Internalizing and Externalizing problems scored significantly lower on the dimensions of parent attachment compared to Internalizing problems (pure), those with Externalizing (pure) problems or the control group. Adolescents with Internalizing problems (pure) scored significantly lower on the dimensions of peer attachment compared to other groups. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.