Abstract

Backgrownd: Life satisfaction (LS) is a measure of subjective well-being and health (Diener et al, 1999) and has been shown to be predictive of psychopathology (Huebner, Funk, Gilman, 2000). The relational dimension has been shown to be highly relevant in LS. However, specific studies of adolescent attachment and LS are still preliminary (Xu, Huebner, Hills, 2013). Especially if one considers the character of adolescent attachment as a relational transformation, which implies a second process of separation-individuation (Blos, 1967), the diversification of attachment figures, the importance of friends and the establishment of love relationships (Wilson & Wilkinson, 2012). Objective: Evaluate life satisfaction (LS) of adolescents outpatients and its associate with attachment styles. Method: Cross-sectional design. Sample: adolescents between 13 to 16 years, in the Chilean Teaching-Care Center of Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents. Youth with moderate to severe mental disability, and with an acute psychotic episode are excluded. Adolescents completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale-Child (SWLS-C), the Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ), Clinical Inventory for Adolescents (MACI) and survey related to personal beliefs, preferences, friendships, family and others. Applicants and clinical complete a survey variables associated with psychopathological and therapeutic variables. Descriptive, bivariate and regression analysis is performed. Result: Research in process. Adolescents corresponding to middle class, mostly female. The reason for initial consultation in the psychiatric unit was diverse, mainly mood symptoms and suicidal spectrum. Conclusions: The variables of attachment styles (cooperation, availability and signs of anger and distress) related to LS in the adolescent clinical population are discussed.