ATTACHMENT STYLE AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENTS: IT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH COPING STRATEGIES AND LIFE SATISFACTION BETWEEN NORMAL AND LESBIAN FEMALE ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

This research is aimed at investigating the relationship between attachment styles, coping skills and life satisfaction. Apart from that, this research also examines the differences of all variables between the normal female adolescents’ sexual orientation and lesbians’. A total of 230 respondents were chosen in this study; of these, 132 were normal female adolescents, while 98 respondents were lesbian. Data were collected using the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), Brief COPE, Positive Affect and Negative Affect and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). The results showed that attachment styles correlated positively with problemfocused coping, emotion-focused coping and life satisfaction, while it correlated negatively with avoidance coping. The results also showed that there were significant differences in all variables between normal female adolescents and lesbians. Normal female adolescents reported high mean values in positive attachment with their parents and peers, problemfocused coping, emotion-focused coping and life satisfaction; while lesbians reported high mean values in negative coping skills which was avoidance coping.