Predicting Students' Social Adjustment and Academic Achievement based on Parenting Attachment Styles

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to predict social adjustment and academic achievement based on parental attachment styles in students. Methods: The method of this research was descriptive-correlational. The study population included 18,000 male and female first year high school students in Lorestan province in the academic year of 2014-15, which was conducted on a sample of 364 students (200 girls, 164 boys). Multi-stage cluster sampling method was selected. The California Social Adjustment Questionnaire (Klako et al., 1953) and the Hazen and Shaver Adult Attachment Styles Questionnaire (1897) were used to collect data, and the students' final grade point average was used to assess academic performance. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis (stepwise). Findings: The results of Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was a meaningful negative relationship between avoidant attachment style (P=0.001, r=-0.35), anxiety attachment style (P=0.001, r=-0.29) with adaptation. Also, between secure attachment style (P≥0.001, r=0.41), attachment to mother (P≥0.001, r=0.35), attachment to father (P≥0.001, r=0.37) and attachment to friends (P=0.001, r=0.38) has a significant positive relationship with adaptation. Multiple regression results showed 31% of the total variance of students' academic adjustment by avoidant attachment style (β=-0.16), anxiety attachment style (β=-0.14), secure attachment (β=0.23), attachment to mother (β=0.10), attachment to father (β=0.15), and attachment to friends (β=0.09) are explained. Also, 14% of the variance of academic achievement is explained by the style of secure attachment (β=0.17), attachment to father (β=0.10) and attachment to friends (β=0.11). Conclusion: The present study showed that the first emotional bonds between child and mother play a fundamental role in the formation of social trust and the continuation of emotional relationships in the later period of growth, promoting it positively. Thus, with success in this field, social adjustment is achieved.