THE INFLUENCE OF ATTACHMENT STYLES ON EMPATHY DEVELOPMENT IN ADOLESCENTS FROM MIGRANT FAMILIES

The increasing number of labor migrant families has raised significant concerns regarding the psychological and socio-emotional development of adolescents. Among the key developmental outcomes, empathy plays a fundamental role in promoting healthy interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation, and social adaptation. This study investigates the influence of attachment styles on empathy development among adolescents from migrant families. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed, involving adolescents aged 13–18 years whose one or both parents were engaged in labor migration. Standardized psychological instruments were used to assess attachment styles and empathy levels. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression to examine the predictive relationship between attachment dimensions and empathy. The findings indicate that secure attachment is positively associated with cognitive and affective empathy, whereas insecure attachment styles, including anxious and avoidant attachment, demonstrate significant negative associations with empathy development. Furthermore, family communication quality and perceived emotional support partially explain the relationship between attachment styles and empathy. The study highlights the importance of strengthening secure parent–adolescent relationships despite geographical separation caused by migration. The findings contribute to the literature on developmental psychology and educational psychology by providing evidence-based recommendations for educators, psychologists, and policymakers to support adolescents from migrant families through family-centered interventions and socio-emotional learning programs.