Early Evidence of Parental Attachment Among Polish Adolescents

Authors

  • Elisa Delvecchio
    Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
  • Jian-Bin Li
    Department of Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • Hanna Liberska
    Department of Social Psychology and Research on Youth, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
  • Ariana Lis
    Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
  • Claudia Mazzeschi
    Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

Abstract

Parental attachment is important for adolescents’ development as well as cultural context. Poland used to be collectivist but now is closer to individualistic due to social and economic transformation. Few studies have examined parental attachment and self-esteem among Polish adolescents. This descriptive study (N = 303 Polish adolescents) investigated the levels of parental attachment, gender differences, preferred attachment figure, association with self-esteem and cultural differences with collectivistic (China) and individualistic (Italy) cultures. The results indicated that: (1) there was no gender difference in parental attachment; (2) mother was the preferred attachment figure; (3) parental attachment was related to self-esteem; and (4) cultural differences were found. Findings were discussed in terms of Polish sociopolitical situation.