Attachment to Parents, Social Anxiety, and Close Relationships of Female Students over the Transition to College

• NCJ Number: 229724
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 39 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2010 Pages: 127-137
• Author(s): Stephanie H. Parade; Esther M. Leerkes; A. Nayena Blankson
• Date Published: February 2010
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether social anxiety mediated the relationship between young adults' attachment to parents prior to college and their satisfaction and ease in forming close relationships at the end of their first semester at college.

Abstract

The current study examined the process by which attachment to parents influences satisfaction with and ease in forming friendships at college. One hundred seventy-two female college freshmen completed a measure of parental attachment security the summer before their first semester of college (July 2006) and measures to assess satisfaction with and ease in forming close relationships at the end of their first semester (December 2006). Students ranged in age from 18 to 20 years (M = 18.09, SD = 0.33) and were diverse in their racial makeup (30 percent racial minority). Consistent with predictions derived from attachment theory, secure attachment to parents was positively associated with ease in forming friendships among racial minority and White participants and satisfaction with friendships among minority participants. Moreover, indirect effects of parental attachment security on relationship outcomes through social anxiety were significant for minority participants but not for White participants. Findings may be useful in the development of retention programs targeted at incoming university freshmen, particularly minority students. Figure, tables, and references (Published Abstract)