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Exploring mentalization, trust, communication quality, and alienation in adolescents

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  • Angela Clarke
  • Pamela J Meredith
  • Tanya A Rose

Abstract

Introduction: A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the importance of mentalization for adolescents’ psychosocial functioning; however, further research is needed to understand links between mentalization and other socio-cognitive factors. The aim of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between a teen’s capacity to mentalize and three attachment-related factors: parent-teen trust, parent-teen communication, and parent-teen alienation. Methods: In an online survey, 82 (mainly) Australian adolescents (57 female; 23 male; 2 non-binary; mean age 17.09 years) completed: i) The Children’s Eyes Test, which measured mentalization; and ii) The Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment-45, which measured trust, communication quality, and alienation. Results: In teens’ relationships with both mothers and fathers, trust and communication quality were significantly positively correlated (p = .001) when controlling for age and gender. Both were significantly negatively correlated with alienation (p = .001) with control variables included. Capacity to mentalize did not correlate with trust, communication quality, or alienation in relationships with either mothers or fathers (p ≤ .05). Conclusions: Possible reasons are proposed for why no relationship was found between mentalization and trust, communication quality, or alienation. Implications for future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela Clarke & Pamela J Meredith & Tanya A Rose, 2020. "Exploring mentalization, trust, communication quality, and alienation in adolescents," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0234662
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234662
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sutter, Matthias & Kocher, Martin G., 2007. "Trust and trustworthiness across different age groups," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 59(2), pages 364-382, May.
    2. Silvia Guarnieri & Martina Smorti & Franca Tani, 2015. "Attachment Relationships and Life Satisfaction During Emerging Adulthood," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 121(3), pages 833-847, April.
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