Individual, family and environmental factors influencing peer attachment in adolescents†

This study investigated a comprehensive set of variables influencing peer attachment in adolescents. Based on the results of the study, the researchers discussed the practical implications of this study for social work practitioners. The researchers reviewed the current literature in search of variables that could be of interest and conducted a hierarchical regression analysis at three hierarchical levels of data (individual, family and environment). Data from the 7th Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) on Year 1 elementary school children were used. These data were gathered from 2,002 students. The researchers found that peer attachment in adolescents was significantly higher in girls than in boys and that it significantly increased with higher ego-resiliency and lower depression. It was also found that a fairer parenting style and a closer relationship with teachers were significantly associated with higher peer attachment in children. By analyzing all the variables through a 4-stage model, it was found that the variable with the strongest influence on peer attachment was parenting style B=0.258 (p<0.001). On this basis, the researchers recommend that practitioners develop peer-attachment–enhancing interventions and educational programs for parents and teachers which take into account individual, family, and environmental factors.