Attachment and Perceived Social Support in Late Adolescence

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Abstract
Research has shown that self-perceptions are associated with perceived social support. Attachment theory suggests that perceptions of social support are afunction of two types of internal working models: model of self (beliefs about self-worth) and model of others (beliefs about the availability and responsiveness of others). This study investigated the relationship between models of self and others and perceived social support. Undergraduates (143 females, 73 males) completed questionnaires assessing attachment to parents andfriends and perceived social support. Analyses confirmed that individuals reporting positive models of both self and others (secure attachment) also reported the highest levels of perceived social supportfrom parents andfriends and attachment tofriends. A negative model of self or other (insecure attachment) had a negative impact on perceived social support and attachment to friends. A negative model of self had a particularly negative impact on attachment to friends for males.