Attachment, Social Support Satisfaction, and Well-Being During Life Transition in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the relations among attachment, social support satisfaction, and well-being in a cross-sectional sample of emerging adults (N = 213) experiencing one or more normative life transitions. The sample represented a range of educational and vocational backgrounds. The primary hypotheses were that social support satisfaction would mediate the associations between each attachment dimension and well-being. A corresponding theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling. The model provided an excellent fit to the sample data. Social support satisfaction mediated the association between attachment anxiety and well-being, but not the association between attachment avoidance and well-being. That is, attachment anxiety was indirectly associated with well-being through social support satisfaction, whereas attachment avoidance was directly associated with well-being. Alternative model testing provided mixed support for the variable ordering in the theoretical model. Implications are provided for future research and for counseling emerging adult clients experiencing transition.

Gender, Parent and Peer Relationships, and Identification With Emerging Adulthood Among College Students

“…In addition, parent–child attachment relationships seem to influence the quality of and perspective on nonfamilial relationships that develop in adulthood (Englund et al, 2011). Furthermore, close relationships and social support are important factors in the mental health of emerging adults: They support well‐being (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987; Galambos, Barker, & Krahn, 2006) and life satisfaction (Guarnieri, Smorti, & Tani, 2015), and they are negatively associated with depressive symptoms (Kenny & Sirin, 2006) and transitional difficulties (Lane & Fink, 2015).…”

“…A mong college students, relationship quality with family, peers, and romantic partners is an important component of well‐being (Lane & Fink, 2015). Relationship problems are a primary concern among college students seeking counseling (Mistler, Reetz, Krylowicz, & Barr, 2012).…”

The Impact of Life Transition on Emerging Adult Attachment, Social Support, and Well‐Being: A Multiple‐Group Comparison

“…A growing body of literature has been devoted to the mental health challenges associated with life transitions in emerging adulthood (EA; i.e., a phase describing individuals in industrialized nations between the ages of 18 and 29; e.g., Lane, ; Lane & Fink, ; Lee & Gramotnev, ; Weiss, Freund, & Wiese, ). The normative transitions during this time (e.g., leaving the parental household) disrupt life roles and promote psychological distress.…”

“…Accordingly, it is important for counselors to be mindful of these challenges and aid clients in maintaining well‐being during EA. Interpersonal resources (i.e., attachment security and social support [SS]) are protective factors for well‐being during these life transitions (Lane & Fink, ). However, understanding how these resources are useful during transition is limited by a lack of research comparing their specific contributions to well‐being between emerging adults experiencing life transition versus those who are not.…”

Young people with an acquired brain injury: Development of a pilot program to support their transition to adulthood

“…This process often involves a period of uncertainty as individuals develop a sense of their new life roles, responsibilities and relationships (Lenz, 2001). Alongside and sometimes exacerbating this uncertainty, there can be disruption to supports and services that have previously provided the person with a sense of security (Lane & Fink, 2015). The degree of distress that a transition causes a person is often determined by a variety of factors (Lenz, 2001).…”