Abstract

Background: The existing body of research has revealed links among parental attachment, self-esteem, and subjective well-being in adolescents. However, there is a notable dearth of studies investigating these connections specifically within the context of adolescents dealing with parental divorce. Objective: This study examined both direct and indirect associations between parental attachment during adolescence and subjective well-being mediated by self-esteem among individuals dealing with parental divorce. Method: A total of 204 adolescents (female: n = 83; mean age = 14.43 years, SD = 1.55) whose parents were divorced were recruited for this study and completed a self-administered questionnaire including measures of parental attachment, self-esteem, and subjective well-being (life satisfaction, positive and negative affect). Results: A structural equation model revealed the following for adolescents whose parents had undergone divorce: (a) There was a significant positive association between maternal (although not paternal) attachment and subjective well-being. (b) Self-esteem mediated the association of maternal attachment with subjective well-being. (c) These associations were not moderated by the participants' assigned sex at birth. Note: Throughout this article, we use the noun sex to refer to the sex assigned at birth (boy or girl, man or woman), for economy of language. Conclusion: We emphasize the significance of nurturing secure parent–adolescent attachments and cultivating enhanced self-esteem as potential avenues to bolster the well-being of adolescents navigating the challenges posed by parental divorce. Implications: These findings have impact for the understanding of the attachment–well-being dynamics involved after parental divorce among adolescents. © 2025 National Council on Family Relations.