Abstract

This study examined the relationships between parental attachments, school attachments and life satisfaction, and whether school attachment served as a mediator between parental attachment and life satisfaction in a sample of early adolescents (n= 153; mean age= 12.71 years). Results indicated that both maternal and paternal attachment positively related to life satisfaction; among the school attachment dimensions only attachment to teacher associated with life satisfaction of adolescents. Hierarchical regression analyses provided evidence that school attachment partially mediated the link between parental attachment and life satisfaction for both maternal and paternal models. Implications for intervention programs are discussed.

Key words: parental attachment, school attachment, attachment to teacher, attachment to friend, life satisfaction.