The interplay between attachment and affiliation systems in adolescents' same-sex friendships: The role of attachment style

Three studies examined attachment-style differences in the interplay between attachment and affiliation systems within adolescents' same-sex friendships. In Study 1, adolescents completed attachment-style scales and reported on the rewards involved in a same-sex friendship, as well as on attachment features of this relationship. In Studies 2 and 3, adolescents completed attachment-style scales, visualized an interaction with their best same-sex friend under either attachment or affiliation contexts, and reported on the motives they pursued in such an interaction. Findings indicated that secure adolescents attached high importance to both attachment and affiliation goals in friendship, anxious-ambivalent adolescents overemphasized attachment goals, and avoidant adolescents gave low importance to the two types of goals. In addition, whereas secure adolescents were responsive to affiliation and attachment contexts, insecure adolescents showed less responsiveness to these contexts and their habitual working models guided their responses. Results were discussed in terms of Bowlby's 'attachment-affiliation balance'.