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Peer attachment, coping, and self-esteem in institutionalized adolescents: the mediating role of social skills

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Abstract

This study analyzes the contribution of peer attachment in predicting active coping and self-esteem in a sample of 109 institutionalized adolescents. It also explores the mediating role of social skills in the association between peer attachment, coping, and self-esteem. Structural equation modeling identified a model able to predict a positive and direct contribution of peer relationships on self-esteem. Results confirmed the mediating role of social skills but only between quality of peer attachment and the development of active coping. From an ecological perspective, quality of relationships with significant peer figures can contribute to the development of a secure base, especially in adolescents without family support. Consequently, institutionalized adolescents who perceive quality in their peer relationships seem to be more able to express their feelings and ideas. As a result, they can become able to establish positive and empathic relationships with others, which can lead to the development of active coping skills. The quality of peer relationships can also increase the self-esteem of these adolescents because they feel they have a source of personal support and can share their difficulties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Psychology and Education, Porto University, Rua do Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva, 4200-392, Porto, Portugal

    Catarina Pinheiro Mota & Paula Mena Matos

  2. Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro—UTAD, Edifício do CIFOP Rua Dr. Manuel Cardona—UTAD, Apartado 1013, 5001-558, Vila Real, Portugal

    Catarina Pinheiro Mota

Authors
  1. Catarina Pinheiro Mota
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  2. Paula Mena Matos
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Correspondence to Catarina Pinheiro Mota.

Additional information

Catarina Pinheiro Mota. Assistant Professor at UTAD. Researcher at the Centre for Psychology of Porto University.

Current themes of research:

Especialist in Adolescent Attachment, family configurations and institutionalization domains.

Publications in the field of Psychology of Education:

Mota, C. P., & Matos, P. M. (2011). Adolescência e conflitos parentais: Uma perspectiva de resiliência. [Adolescence and interparental conflicts: A resilience perspective] In P.M. Matos, C. Duarte, & M.E. Costa (Coords.). Famílias: Questões de desenvolvimento e intervenção (pp.125–151) [Family: Intervention and development questions]. Porto: LivPsic.

Mota, C. P., & Matos, P. M. (2010). Adolescentes institucionalizados: O papel das figuras significativas na predição da assertividade, empatia e autocontrolo. [Adolescence and institutionalization: The role of significant figures in the prediction of assertion, empathy and selfcontrol]. Análise Psicológica, 2(XXVIII), 245–254.

Mota, C. P., & Matos, P. M. (2008). Competências Sociais e Variáveis Relacionais em Adolescentes. [Social Competencies and relational variables in adolescence]. Psicologia, Educação e Cultura, Vol. XII(1), 61–86.

Mota, C.P., & Matos, P.M. (2009). Vinculação, conflito e auto-estima em adolescentes de famílias intactas e divorciadas.[Attachment, conflict and self-esteem in adolescents from divorced and intact families]. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 22(3), 317–325.

Mota, C. P., & Matos, P. M. (2008). Adolescência e institucionalização numa perspectiva de vinculação. [Adolescence and institutionalization: An attachment perspective]. Psicologia & Sociedade, 20(3), 367–377.

Paula Mena Matos is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Education at the University of Porto and Researcher at the Centre for Psychology of Porto University.

Current themes of research:

Her current themes of research are Attachment relationships and psychological development; Family transitions; Psychotherapeutic relationships.

Publications in the field of Psychology of Education:

Costa, M. E., & Matos, P. M. (2007). Abordagem sistémica do conflito. [A systemic approach to conflict] Lisboa: Universidade Aberta.

Matos, P. M. (2003). O conflito à luz da teoria da vinculação [An attachment approach to conflict]. In M. E. Costa (Coord.). Gestão de conflitos na escola [Conflicts' resolution in schools] (pp. 143–191). Lisboa: Universidade Aberta.

Ávila, M., Cabral, J., & Matos, P. M. (2012). Identity in university students: The role of parental and romantic attachment. Journal of Adolescence, 35(2), 133–142.

Vieira, J., Ávila, M., & Matos, P. M. (2012). Attachment and parenting: The mediating role of work-family balance in Portuguese parents of pre-school children. Family Relations, 61, 31–50.

The present study was integrated in a research project supported by Foundation of Science and Technology—FCT—Portugal (Refª. PTDC/PSI/65416/2006).

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Pinheiro Mota, C., Matos, P.M. Peer attachment, coping, and self-esteem in institutionalized adolescents: the mediating role of social skills. Eur J Psychol Educ 28, 87–100 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-012-0103-z

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