Abstract:

Self–determination theory indicates that humans have three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness), and the satisfaction of the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are essential because it contributes independently to healthy psychological growth and well–being. Although this prediction has been supported in studies with a number of studies in Western culture, no study has examined the contribution of each need to adolescents’ development Turkish culture. This study examined competence as a mediator between parent attachment (mother and father) and psychological well-being and adjustment of adolescents. A total of 282 high school students from the city of Ankara completed the self-report measures of parent attachment, competence, positive and negative affect, and adjustment. Using structural equation modeling, a model was examined in which competence mediated the link between parental attachment and well-being and adjustment of adolescents. Results from structural equation modeling analyses indicated that competence fully mediated the relationship between attachment to mother and well-being and partially mediated the relationship between attachment to mother and adjustment. On the contrary, attachment to father associated directly with adjustment. These findings suggested that parent attachment foster adolescent well-being and adjustment by promoting high level of competence.

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