INFLUENCE OF ATTACHMENT DIMENSIONS AND PERCEIVED PARENTAL ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION IN ADOLESCENT PATIENTS ON CONDUCT DISORDER.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in attachment dimensions and the perceived parental acceptance / rejection among adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) in comparison to the control group, and the contribution of the attachment dimensions and parental acceptance /rejection to the CD. The group of male and female adolescents with CD (N=97) and a control group of male and female adolescents with no signs of CD (N=97) participated in this study. Attachment and parental acceptance/rejection were determined in the relationship between adolescents and their mothers and fathers by using self-evaluation questionnaires. The results showed that subjects with CD had insecure (avoidance) attachment, perception of lower parental acceptance and higher parental rejection more often compared to controls. Higher levels of complex father rejection predicted CD. The main findings of this study indicated that the subjects with a conduct disorder felt less accepted and more rejected by parents compared to control group subjects. Complex father rejection was shown as a significant predictor of conduct disorder. Parental attachment may affect adolescents' perception of parental acceptance/rejection which may result in an expression of CD symptoms.