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S010-3

Adolescence Through the Lens of Attachment

Sam Tyano

Tel Aviv University Medical School, Israel

Content: Experiencing a secure attachment with a primary caregiver is a major tenet of the
development of a representation of self as a valued and competent individual. In contrast, an insecure
attachment with the caregiver plays a major role in the development of representations characterized
by mistrust, anger, anxiety, and /or fear. The key task of adolescence is to develop autonomy. At first
glance, adolescents often appear to be engaged in an active, purposeful flight away from attachment
relationships with parents and other parental attachment figures, together with an increased
exploratory behavior. It turns out that autonomy-seeking behavior is most easily established in the
background of secure relationships with parents. In this presentation, links will be made between
maladaptive adolescent's behaviors and insecurity of attachment relationship.