Parental Attachment and Peer Relations in Adolescence: A Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Using Bowlby's (1988) theory of attachment relations in this meta-analytic study, we examined prior studies that assessed both parental attachment and peer relations during adolescence. The collective sample size reflects 12,482 participants across 53 studies conducted since 1970. The overall effect size between parental attachment and adolescent peer relations variables was approximately ½ SD (d =. 54). Analysis of specific peer relations dimensions indicates that parental attachment was related to both social competence and best friend relationship quality. Despite variations in study characteristics, this overall effect size appears remarkably stable. Studies that have employed higher proportions of Whites and female participants, North American samples, and measures with high reliability have yielded relatively higher effect sizes than comparison studies. The findings provide partial support for Bowlby's (1988) contention that the emotion-based interactions with parent figures have repercussions in other relationships. The modest size, however, indicates that other factors besides attachment to parents play an important role in peer relations.
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Adolescents securely attached to their parents demonstrate more pro-social behavior, are more emotionally and socially competent, experience higher relationship quality and less conflict, and are more accepted by peers.
“Adolescents securely attached to their parents demonstrate more pro-social behavior, are more emotionally and socially competent, experience higher relationship quality and less conflict, and are more accepted by their peers (Benson et al., 2006;Laible, 2007;Lieberman et al., 1999;Moore et al., 1998;Weimer et al., 2004).”
From Social anxiety mediates the effect of attachment to parents on friendships and loneliness during the college transition (2023) · cites this paper as Benson et al., 2006
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References 25 · Cited by 72
- Authors
- Benson, M. J., McWey, L. M., & Ross, J. J.
- Affiliations
- Virginia Tech (US)
- Florida State University (US)
- Texas Tech University (US)
- Venue
- Research in Human Development
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2006-01-01
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 33-43
- ISSN
- 1542-7609 (ISSN-L)
- 1542-7617
- OpenAlex
- W2042115345
- Cited by
- 72
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 0.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research in Human Development (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Psychosocial Factors Impacting Youth
- Keywords
- parental attachment, peer relationships, adolescence, social competence, best friend relationships, attachment theory, parent-child relationship
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