This thesis examined attachment styles and disengagement strategies used to end romantic relationships for 213 college students.

The present study examined the links between whole family interaction patterns, parent-child attachment, and child emotional adjustment in a sample of 86 community families with children between the ages of 8 and 11. Family interactions were observed and coded with the System for Coding Interactions and Family Functioning (SCIFF; Lindahl, 2001). Target children completed the Children’s Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CCSQ; Yunger, Corby, & Perry, 2005), and the Behavior Assessment System for Children- 2nd Edition, Self Report of Personality (BASC-2 SRP; Reynolds &Kamphaus, 2004). Results of hierarchical regressions indicated that Secure and Avoidant attachment each independently predicted children’s emotional symptoms in some models. Family Cohesion and Positive Affect moderated the relationship between father-child attachment and children’s emotional symptoms. Results of the current study support the utility of considering dyadic attachment and family interaction patterns conjointly when conceptualizing and treating children’s emotional outcomes.

There is a growing body of research on psychopathic traits in non-clinical populations. This emerging research has documented the prevalence of psychopathic traits in the general population and demonstrated that psychopathy has a similar latent structure as well as similar correlates (e.g., violent behavior, alcohol abuse, and lower intelligence) to forensic/offender samples. Relatedly, there is strong evidence insecure attachment patterns in adulthood are associated with many personality disorders, including psychopathy, but only a few studies have examined the relationship between attachment and psychopathic traits in non-clinical samples (albeit, convenience samples of college students). Thus, two aims of the current study are to: 1) describe and explore the manifestation and expression of psychopathic traits in a large, community-based sample and 2) examine associations between adult attachment disturbances and psychopathic traits in diverse sociodemographic subgroups. Using a cross-sectional design, results showed mean-level psychopathy factor score differences existed only when considering single sociodemographic factors (e.g., age), not an interaction of those factors. Psychopathy factor profiles were also consistent across groups, with higher levels of lifestyle followed by interpersonal, affective, and antisocial traits reported. Regarding the second aim, findings indicated support for the positive association between disturbed attachment patterns in adult relationships and psychopathic traits, although these associations differed in males and females of different age groups. Finally, there was some support for attachment processes acting as a social development pathway toward psychopathy, as insecure attachments in adulthood partially mediated the relationships between age and interpersonal, affective, and lifestyle traits of psychopathy.

Path models assessed different models of influential order for parental bonding; adult romantic attachment; views of self, world/others, and the future; the fear of intimacy; and cognitive distortions among child molesters and non-offending controls. Child molesters receiving sex offender treatment reported more problematic parental bonding; insecure adult romantic attachment; negative views of self, world/others, and the future; a greater fear of intimacy, and more cognitive distortions regarding adult-child sex. The predicted path models were not established as the models did not adequately fit the data. However, post hoc logistic regressions indicated that Maternal Optimal Bonding, Preoccupied attachment, and cognitive distortions regarding adult-child sex significantly predicted child molester status. Overall, the findings provide support for a multi-factorial model of child molestation derived from attachment theory. Limitations of the study and areas for future research are also discussed.

The focus of this investigation is to assess the relationship between false self behavior, object relations and attachment variables, and adjustment. Theory suggests that object relations and attachment are interrelated, and have been independently linked to psychological consequences. Theory also postulates a relationship between false self behavior and object relations theory. Given the interrelatedness of object relations and attachment theory it is possible that false self behavior may also be linked to attachment variables. While the relationship between object relations and false self behavior seems to have been established object relations theory and attachment theory have not been studied in tandem as related to false self behavior. In addition, this investigation will explore the relationship of adjustment variables to attachment and object relations variables. Undergraduate males and females will be solicited for participation, and will be asked to complete self-report questionnaires measuring false self behavior, object relations, attachment, and adjustment. The primary research hypothesis is that less false self behavior will be related to mature object relations, secure attachment, and fewer symptoms.

This thesis explores the influence of mother's mental disorder, specifically schizophrenia, on child's attachment in adulthood. In the theoretic part, basic terms of attachment theory are introduced. I describe selected methods of attachment assessment and the associated attachment types or states of mind with respect to attachment. Further on, key information on schizophrenia is presented with an emphasis on impact of schizophrenia on mother - child relationship. The following empiric part explores the form and type of attachment of children with mothers who suffer from schizophrenia and its evolution in time. I was also interested in different strategies the children employ to cope with their mother's illness. Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) is the primary method used in the research, complemented by Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR) and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). The research results show that attachment of children with schizophrenic mothers tend to be anxious, specifically anxious-avoidant and disoriented-disorganized, more often than in the general population. Mother's illness thus has negative effects on child's attachment.

This paper examines the role of attachment beliefs and parenting behaviors on the association between maternal and child anxiety in a community sample of mothers and their children aged 6-17 (N = 89). Maternal anxiety was assessed through the SCL-90 & STAI-T. Child anxiety was assessed through the RCMAS-C, STAIC-T, RCMAS-P, & CBCL. Attachment beliefs were assessed through the Experiences in Close Relationships (maternal) and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (child). Parenting behaviors were assessed through the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire and the Children's Report of Parent Behavior Inventory. Significant associations were found between maternal and child anxiety, attachment beliefs, and parenting. Multiple regression analysis indicated that Anxious Attachment Beliefs and Parental Involvement appeared to mediate the association between maternal and child anxiety. Findings are discussed in terms of elucidating the role of attachment beliefs and parenting behaviors on the association between maternal and child anxiety.

O objetivo desse estudo in vitro foi analisar a durabilidade, retenção e tensão gerada nos implantes de overdenture retidas por sistema bola/O\'ring ou barra/clipe, associados ou não a mini-implantes na região posterior da mandíbula. Foram utilizados implantes anteriores cone-Morse (3,75 x 11 mm) e mini-implantes de corpo único (2 x 10 mm) e os grupos divididos em (n=12): G2O: overdenture sobre 2 implantes com bola/O´rings; G1B: overdenture sobre 2 implantes com barra/clipe; G4O: overdenture sobre 2 implantes com bola/O´rings e 2 mini-implantes na região posterior; G1B2O: overdenture sobre 2 implantes com barra/clipe e 2 mini-implantes na região posterior. Para avaliação qualitativa das áreas de compressão e/ou tração nos modelos em poliuretano, foi realizado o método de correlação de imagens digitais, com carregamento oclusal (300 N) e pontual (250 N) com captura em vista frontal e lateral dos modelos experimentais. Foi realizado ensaio de fadiga acelerada progressiva com cargas de 80 N, 140 N, 200 N, 260 N, 320 N e 380 N, frequência de 5Hz, totalizando 120.000 ciclos. Para avaliação da retenção os modelos foram submetidos a ensaio de tração previamente a termociclagem (Tempo 1), após 200 N (Tempo 2) e após 380 N (Tempo 3) e a força de retenção foi registradas em triplicata e a média obtida em cada tempo. A análise da durabilidade dos componentes retentivos foi realizada após os ensaios de tração nos tempos determinados por microscopia óptica. As imagens da aplicação de carga oclusal, mostraram que as tensões nos grupos 1B e 1B2O foram semelhantes, nos grupos 2O e 4O apresentaram tensões de tração na região anterior, porém no grupo 4O houve melhor distribuição por toda área analisada. Na aplicação de carga pontual, todos os modelos apresentaram tensões de compressão na região posterior e de tração na anterior, porém com maior intensidade nos modelos 2O e 4O, e menor intensidade nos modelos 1B e 1B2O. Nas análises sobre a retenção dos componentes, não houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) entre os grupos 1B-1B2O, porém houve diferença significativa entre os grupos 2O-4O, notando maior força retentiva no grupo 4O. As comparações entre os grupos, 1B-2O e 1B2O-4O houve diferença significativa, sendo que os grupos com sistema barra/clipe obtiveram maior retenção que os grupos com O´rings. Nas imagens microscópicas não houve diferença significativa na estrutura interna dos O´rings, porém houve diferença significativa nos clipes. Conclui-se que a durabilidade, retenção e distribuição de tensão não se altera com a colocação de mini-implantes posteriores em overdentures com sistema retentivo barra/clipe. Com sistema retentivo bola/O\'ring a instalação de mini-implantes aumentou a força de retenção e favoreceu a distribuição das tensões, reduzindo a alavanca para posterior. / The purpose of this in vitro study was to analyze the durability, retention and strength caused for implants-retained overdentures by ball/O-ring system or bar/clip, associated or not mini-implants in the posterior region of the mandible. Anterior Morse taper connection implants (3.75 x 11 mm) and single-body mini-implants (2 x 10 mm) were used and the groups divided to (n=12): G2O: implants-retained overdentures 2 implants with ball/O-rings ; G1B: implants-retained overdentures 2 bar/clip implants; G4O: implants-retained overdentures 2 implants with ball/O-rings and 2 mini-implants in the posterior region ; G1B2O: implants-retained overdentures 2 implants with bar/clip and 2 mini-implants in the posterior region. For the qualitative evaluation of compression and/or traction areas in polyurethane models, a digital image correlation method (DIC) with occlusal (300 N) and punctual (250 N) loading was applied with frontal and lateral views of the experimental models. An accelerated progressive fatigue test with loads of 80 N, 140 N, 200 N, 260 N, 320 N and 380 N, frequency of 5 Hz, completing120,000 cycles. In order to evaluate the retention force, the models were submitted to traction force, previously to thermocycling (Time 1) after 200 N (Time 2) and posteriorly 380 N (Time 3), being the retention force recorded in triplicate. The durability analysis, by optic microscopy, of the retentive components was performed after the traction tests at the determined times. The application images of the occlusal load, showed that the stress in groups 1B and 1B2O were similar, in groups 2O and 4O presented stress in the anterior region, but in the 4O group, there was better distribution throughout the analyzed area. In the application of punctual loading, all the models presented compression tensions in the posterior region and traction in the anterior one, but with greater intensity in the 2O and 4O models, and lower intensity in the 1B and 1B2O models. In the retention analyzes of the components, there was no significant difference (p <0.05) between groups 1B-1B2O, but there was a significant difference between groups 2O-4O, noting a higher retentive force in the 4O group. The comparisons between the groups, 1B-2O and 1B2O-4O showed a significant difference, and the groups with bar/clip systems obtained higher retention than the groups with O-rings. In the microscopic images, there was no significant difference in the O-rings internal structure, but there was a significant difference in the clips images. It was concluded that the durability, retention and stress distribution do not change with the placement of posterior mini-implants in overdentures with retentive bar/clip system. With retentive system ball/O-ring the installation of mini-implants increased the retention force and favored much the distribution of the stress, thus reducing the forefoot leverage to the posterior part of the prosthesis.

Chan Ching. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-54). / Abstract in English and Chinese. / List of Tables --- p.v / Chapter CHAPTER 1: --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Two dimensions and four-group model of adult attachment --- p.2 / Attachment to father and gender differences --- p.5 / Attachment and psychological adjustments and relationship outcomes --- p.8 / Relationship outcomes --- p.9 / Psychological well-being --- p.10 / Chapter CHAPTER 2: --- METHOD --- p.13 / Participants --- p.13 / Measures --- p.13 / Attachment --- p.14 / Relationship quality measurements --- p.15 / Psychological well-being --- p.16 / Chapter CHAPTER 3: --- RESULTS --- p.18 / Prediction of Adult Romantic Attachment --- p.18 / Prediction of Anxiety Dimension --- p.20 / Prediction of Avoidance Dimension --- p.25 / Using Attachment Dimensions to Predict Outcomes --- p.30 / Conflict --- p.32 / Commitment --- p.32 / Relationship Satisfaction --- p.32 / Depression --- p.33 / Life Satisfaction --- p.33 / Chapter CHAPTER 4: --- DISCUSSION --- p.37 / Parental attachment as predictors for adult romantic attachment --- p.37 / Relationships of Attachment Dimensions and Outcomes --- p.41 / Future Studies --- p.46 / References --- p.48 / Appendix --- p.55

Of all relational bonds, perhaps the strongest and most complex is the one between parent and child. The dynamics of this relationship potentially hold the key to understanding the future psychological adjustment of the child. The current study was conducted to assess the relationship between perceived parental attachment and coping styles. Undergraduate psychology students (n=300) were administered a survey to examine perceived parental attachment, coping style, and gender. In conflict with previous studies, results indicated that neither respondents' gender nor level of perceived parental attachment was significantly related to participants' reported coping style. Increased knowledge and understanding of parental attachment is critical to understanding the development of psychological well-being.