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Attachment to Peers and School: Longitudinal Moderators of the Relation Between Caregiver Psychological Distress and Adolescent Hopelessness

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A Correction to this article was published on 14 March 2023

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Abstract

Research has yet to determine how relationships outside of the family system may buffer negative outcomes associated with hopelessness among racial minority youth. In a sample of Black American youth (N = 512; 49% females) and their parents or caregivers, this study used longitudinal growth models to explore whether youth relationships (attachment to peers and attachment to school) moderated the association between caregiver distress (depressive symptoms and traumatic stress), and youth hopelessness. Adolescents’ gender was examined to determine if there were gender differences present in these associations. Four linear growth models showed a significant change in levels of hopelessness over time for youth and a significant positive relation between caregiver distress and youth level of hopelessness. Attachment to peers and attachment to school did not equally moderate the relation between caregiver psychological distress and youth hopelessness. The type of caregiver distress had a differential effect on youth hopelessness in the context of the moderation models and based on gender. The type of caregiver distress had a differential effect on youth hopelessness in the context of the moderation models and based on gender. Implications for the importance of non-familial attachments among Black American youth with distressed parents are discussed.

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L.M.H. conceived of and designed the study, participated in the interpretation of the data, and completed the composing and editing of the manuscript; S.Y.L. participated in the interpretation of the data, and the drafting and editing of the manuscript; S.T. performed the statistical analysis, engaged in the interpretation of the data, and the editing of the manuscript; J.W.J. participated in the drafting and editing of the manuscript; G.K. participated in the drafting and editing of the manuscript; W.T.C. participated in the drafting of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Lisa M. Hooper.

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Hooper, L.M., Lee, SY., Tomek, S. et al. Attachment to Peers and School: Longitudinal Moderators of the Relation Between Caregiver Psychological Distress and Adolescent Hopelessness. J Youth Adolescence 52, 931–949 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01375-y

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