[Attachment patterns and anxiety in adolescents suffering from mixed disorders of conduct and emotions].

AIM

The paper presents results of research concerning attachment patterns and anxiety in adolescents suffering from mixed disorders of conduct and emotions.

METHOD

Both clinical and control group completed the Parental Bonding Instrument and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The first questionnaire measures parental style as perceived by the child, it consists of two scales: care and control. The second one the temporary condition of "state anxiety" and the more general and long-standing quality of "trait anxiety".

RESULTS

The study revealed that adolescents from the clinical group perceive their parents as less protective than the control. Adolescents from the clinical group revealed also a higher level of anxiety, both as a state and as a trait.

CONCLUSIONS

The basic conclusion is that there are differences between groups in family functioning--adolescents from the clinical group received less protection from parents, which may influence their behaviours aimed at providing them more safety.