The Relation Between Dimensions of Attachment and Internalizing or Externalizing Problems During Adolescence MICHAEL RÖNNLUND ERIKA KARLSSON Department of Psychology Umeå University, Sweden ABSTRACT. The authors examined the relation between dimensions of attachment and internalizing and externalizing problems in 15- to 16-year-old adolescents (n = 62) who completed the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ; J. Feeney, P. Noller, & M. Hanra- han, 1994) and the Youth Self-Report (YSR; T. M. Achenbach, 1991). In total, the ASQ dimensions accounted for 48% of the variance in scores on the broad YSR internalizing problem scale. Three ASQ dimensions (confidence, discomfort with closeness, preoccu- pation with relationships) accounted for unique variance. Girls exhibited higher problem scores than did boys even when the authors considered ASQ scores. The authors observed comparable results for the anxious/depressed subscales. The confidence, discomfort, and preoccupation dimensions predicted scores on the withdrawn subscale. The authors observed weak relations or no relations between results on the ASQ and the externalizing problems scale. In conclusion, dimensions of attachment are powerful predictors of inter- nalizing problems in adolescents. The authors discussed the potential cause and effect rela- tionship between attachment variables and self-reported problems. Key words: adolescents, ASQ, attachment, externalizing problems, internalizing prob- lems, YSR ADOLESCENCE is a challenging and stressful transition stage of development, at least for many individuals. This stress likely increases vulnerability to inter- nalizing problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, withdrawal) and externalizing prob- lems (e.g., aggressiveness, delinquent behavior). Researchers (e.g., Broberg et al., 2001; Walker, Nishioka, Zeller, Severson, & Feil, 2000) have shown that the prevalence of internalizing and externalizing problems peaks between 15 and 16 years of age. Achenbach (1991) developed the Youth Self-Report (YSR) to assess Address correspondence to Michael Rönnlund, Department of Psychology, Umeå Univer- sity, S–901 87 Umeå, Sweden; michael.ronnlund@psy.umu.se (e-mail). 47 The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 2006, 167(1), 47–63 Copyright © 2006 Heldref Publications