Attachment Type for Adolescents in Residential Treatment Centers

The styles of attachment in two groups of adolescents with different characteristics and life experiences are examined. Participants were 81 adolescents residing inside residential treatment centers ( M age = 15.5 yr., SD = 1.1; 48% boys, 52% girls) and 81 adolescents living with their own families ( M age = 15.6 yr., SD = 1.3; 49% boys, 51% girls). The Italian adaptation of the Separation Anxiety Test was used to measure attachment style. Only the data obtained from the “Self” perspective indicated a significant difference between the two groups, showing higher percentages of Secure attachment among adolescents living with their families. When replies were referred to the “Self,” the risk of assessing Insecure attachment in the Residential group was about 2 times higher than in the Family group ( OR = 2.28).