Influence of Attachment Styles on Adolescents’ Psychosocial Development, Among Selected Secondary School Students from Blended Families in Kiambu County, Kenya

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Date
2022-05
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PAC University
Abstract
Attachment styles adopted by parents are essential in development of adolescent psychosocial wellbeing. This phenomenon is more profound in blended families where there are multiple relationships that can lead to many challenges. However, with appropriate attachment styles adopted by step parents such challenges can be mitigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of attachment styles on adolescents’ psychosocial development, among secondary school students from blended families in Kiambu County, Kenya. The objective of the study was to establish attachment styles adopted by parents of adolescents in blended family households and evaluate how these attachment styles influence the establishment of adolescents’ self-esteem, identity and autonomy development. The study adopted Bowlby (1969) attachment theory, a mixed method approach, mixed method design and pragmatic philosophical paradigm. The sampling method adopted was multi-stage and inclusive /exclusive criteria. Firstly, the study adopted survey method as the sampling technique because the total population of adolescents that came from blended families was unknown. Thereafter, simple random sampling was used to select 9 schools and also determine the 5 classes to be sampled in each of these schools. The 5 classes had a population of 55 students each. A short questionnaire with demographic data of students was issued to 2475 students in a bid to elicit the adolescents from the said classes, that came from blended families in the 9 schools. A total of 208 adolescents from blended families in the 9 schools was elicited and this was considered a sufficient sample size. In addition, simple random sampling was used to sample 24 respondents that formed 4 focus groups. Purposive sampling was used to sample 4 counselors from 9 schools for in-depth interview and the 4 focus groups. Data was collected using questionnaires, counselors’ interview schedule and focus group discussions. Standardized tools; Inventory for Parent and Peer Attachment Scale, Rosenberg Scale, Identity scale Inventory and Emotional Autonomy Scale were used as measuring tools. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics, statistical assumption tests, correlation tests- T test, ANOVA and MANCOVA analysis while qualitative data was analyzed by use of narrative analysis. Findings were presented in form of graphs, pie charts and tables while interview data was presented in thematic form. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the National Council for Science and Technology and the Kiambu County Government. Ethical review authorization was sought from Daystar University Ethics Review Committee as well as a written informed consent from the school administration. Results indicated 2 categories of attachment styles adopted by step parents as; secure and insecure. In addition, these attachment styles influence the establishment of adolescent self- esteem, emotional autonomy and three identity styles namely information, commitment and diffuse avoidant but not normative identity style. The study results concluded that step parents should adopt secure attachment style which has characteristics of high communication and trust levels but minimal alienation, rather than insecure attachment that comprises of high levels of alienation, minimal communication and trust. The study findings could benefit government entities, Ministry of Education, counselors, parents, families and society
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Keywords
INFLUENCE OF ATTACHMENT STYLES , ADOLESCENTS SCHOOL STUDENTS , BLENDED FAMILIES
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https://repo.pacuniversity.ac.ke/handle/123456789/3658.3
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TD-Department of Psychology (PhD)

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