The idea of ‘connectedness’ is a generalised form of attachment which infers a sense of place, respect and belonging.
Studies and exploration in this field, show the significance of adolescents’ connections to others and associations for their health, comfort and security.
‘A sense of connectedness has been found to be protective against an array of health risk behaviours including substance abuse, risky sexual behaviour, and violence. Research suggests that positive connections are beneficial for all adolescents – across gender and racial, ethnic, and social class groups. Furthermore, the more connected adolescents fell in one area, the more likely they are to feel connected in another. It is possible that when adolescents feel connected in one area, this builds skills and access to resources that are transferable to other settings’ (Bernat & Resnik, 2009).
