Depression and Loneliness of adolescents from intact and divorced families: The Mediating Effects of Parental and Peer Attachment

ABSTRACT

Using a sample of 367 adolescents, this study examined depression and loneliness of adolescents from intact and divorced families and the mediating effects of parental and peer attachment. Results suggest that there were significant differences in the level of parental attachment, depression and loneliness of adolescents with respect to their grade and parental marital status. Also, the level of peer attachment was significantly different with respect to adolescents\' gender and parental marital status. Generally, adolescents from divorced families showed more depression and loneliness than adolescents from intact families. Differences in adolescents\' depression and loneliness between intact and divorced families were fully mediated by parental attachment, Also differences in the level of adolescents\' depression and loneliness between intact and divorced families were partly mediated by peer attachment. Suggestions for future study were further discussed.