Both anxiety and depression have been shown to be a result of early negative attachment experiences. The quality of parenting is one variable that affects attachment security, therefore correlating with the development of anxiety and depression in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of attachment in the relationship between mother and father's parenting in childhood and adult symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study focused on 680 married or remarried heterosexual couples that took the RELATE questionnaire between 2011 and 2013. Results indicated insecure attachment mediates the relationship between poor parenting and symptoms of anxiety and depression for men and women. In addition, results showed a partner effect between a wife's attachment security and her husband's anxiety. Clinical implications include assessing for attachment insecurity when clients exhibit symptoms of anxiety and depression. Individual and couple-specific interventions are discussed.

Objectives: the hypothesis of this study was that different abutment substrates would not affect epithelial cell attachment and differentiation. Methods: 15 discs for each of 5 different materials (4 types of titanium and 1 type of zirconium) were flooded with a media containing human adenoid epithelial cells (hTERT). Cells were allowed to attach on the discs for 2 hours. The media was then collected, and remaining suspended cells counted, to determine number of attached cells. Surfaces were then flooded with fresh media, collected 24 hours later. Levels of 6 different pro-inflammatory cytokines contained in the media were measured for each disc, using a Luminex 100 IS system. Then, part of the discs was used for SEM observation of cell morphology. Another part of the discs was used for immuno-fluorescent microscopy, to observe the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, using phalloidin conjugated to a fluorophore to label the actin. The remaining discs were used to analyse alpha6-beta4 Integrin expression, using gel electrophoresis after isolation of mRNA and reverse PCR. Results: Number of attached cells was not statistically different for the 5 types of material. For the 5 materials, levels of cytokines IL-6, 8, 12 and TNF-alpha were similar and IL-1 and 10 were not produced in amounts large enough to be detected. Again, alpha6-beta4 Integrin expression was similar for the different surfaces. Actin Cytoskeleton organization was alike for the titanium surfaces, but cells seemed to be less spread on zirconium. SEM showed comparable cell morphology for the titanium surfaces, whereas no cell could be observed on zirconium. Conclusions: quantitatively, cell attachment and expression of alpha6-beta4 Integrin, IL-6, 8, 12 and TNF-alpha does not seem to be affected by the different surfaces. Nevertheless, attachment might be of lesser quality for zirconium.

Knowledge of the deeper meanings of attachment to companion animals is limited, particularly in terms of older adults. This study employed a modified grounded theory method, a phenomenological lens and a life course perspective to gather and analyze data garnered from individual interviews and panel discussions in order to investigate the multiple dimensions of older adult men’s relationships with their companion animal dogs. Individual audio-recorded in-depth interviews and repeated panel discussions with a sub-group of the participants, convened as a panel over a three-month period, explored behavioral and emotional manifestations of attachment and the emotional bond to their companion animal dogs and the changing nature of that attachment and bond over their life span. Analysis involved open, axial and selective coding of transcripts to reveal underlying patterns within the data. Outcomes included movement toward a theory of companion animal attachment for older adult men as well as insight into the role of dogs in development of older adult men’s identities. This dissertation offers insight into the deeper understanding of the human-animal bond resulting in enhancing quality of life for both older adult male pet owners and their companion animal dogs.

A significant number of children remain in foster care for long periods of time. Among this vulnerable population there is a high rate of placement disruption. Multiple placement changes are more likely to have a negative effect on children in out‑of‑home care than those who remain in the same foster home until they can return to their parents, be adopted or leave foster care between 18 and 21 years of age. This study examined the effect of the foster parent’s attachment style on the parenting values for touch, praise, encouragement, hope and commitment regarding foster children. Adults with a secure attachment style have been shown to be more effective in interpersonal relationships and are more likely to weather the storm through a child whose behavior is affected by trauma. The study found that caregivers with a secure attachment style would use touch, praise, encouragement, have hope for the child’s future and be committed to the long term placement of the child or youth more often. The study measured attachment styles of foster parents using the State Adult Attachment Measure (Gillath, Hart, Noftle & Stockdale, 2009); and an instrument developed by the researchers to measure parenting values. Foster parents also were invited to provide their contact information for participation in an interview. The qualitative interviews added depth to the study by helping shed light on how foster parents use touch, praise, encouragement, hope and commitment with foster children.

The purpose of this study was to add to the understanding of how teachers impact the emotional and behavioral development of kindergartners. This study looked at teacher beliefs, internal thought patterns about a student whose emotion regulation is immature, the behavior is disruptive, and challenging for his or her teacher. It examined multiple aspects of the teacher’s response to the student’s behavior in order answer the questions: Are the strategies used by the teacher for managing disruptive and challenging behavior consistent with her attachment style? How does this affect the academic trajectory of the student? Based on results of the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale (STRS) and the Teacher Relationship Interview (TRI), the primary findings of the study indicate that most of the teachers participating in the study were engaging with a challenging student from a secure attachment classification. The STRS provided information about the teacher’s concern for the ability of the student to make an adequate adjustment to school. Those students with high conflict and low total scores were most likely to have behavior problems in 2nd grade. Also, the level of stress produced by the highly conflictual relationship was at times destabilizing for the teacher. Depending on whether the attachment status of the teacher was secure-continuous, secure-earned, or insecure, the ability of the teacher to be resilient in the face of the stress was affected.

Fischer 344 (F344) rats may be useful for studying impairments in social interactions because they exhibit reduced play behavior compared to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The purpose of this investigation was to explore F344 rats as a model of early social interaction deficits and to determine if oxytocin (OT) activity mediated attachment behavior. To this end, we conducted three experiments measuring the preference of a dam-paired odor in postnatal day (PD) 12 F344 and SD rats. In Experiment 1, PD 11 pups were conditioned with a dam- or neutral-paired odor and tested for odor preference on PD 12. Experiments 2 and 3 used the same protocol as Experiment 1, except in Experiments 2 and 3, pups received an injection of OT (0, 250, 500, or 1000 ng, IC) or OT antagonist (OTA) (0.1, 0.3, or 1 mg/kg, IP) prior to the start of conditioning. Preference for the dam-paired odor did not differ between rat strains, however both male and female F344 pups showed a greater preference for the maternal odor when treated with OT. Male rats showed this enhanced preference at 500 ng OT while females required 1000 ng OT. OT did not alter odor preference in SD pups and OTA did not alter either rat strain’s preference. In conclusion, F344 rat pups do not have attachment deficits but may be useful for testing compounds to treat attachment disorders. It is possible that maternal attachment differs from other social behaviors, such as play behavior. Exogenous OT administration enhanced attachment but only in F344 rats. These data suggest further research on OT in F344 rats is warranted. In addition, it has been suggested that, since ASD affects more boys than girls, the problem may lie with AVP rather than OT. Therefore, other mechanisms may be involved in the development of social behaviors and perhaps the development of maternal attachment. Further testing of other neurochemicals such as dopamine and AVP as well as examining other stages of development (i.e., adolescence and adulthood) may be useful in identifying new therapeutics for ASD.

Divorce rates have consistently risen over the past several decades along with the subsequent increase in parental alienation occurring after the breakup of the family. Parental alienation has long-term negative effects on children who have experienced it, including mental health issues, increased risk of substance abuse, lower levels of self-sufficiency, and decreased physical health. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study was to determine whether alienation from a parent during childhood impacts the quality of adult romantic and marital relationships of the children when they become adults. The Bowen family systems theory and theory of attachment were used as the framework for the study. A convenience sample included 170 adult participants over the age of 18 who were either married or involved in a dating relationship who had parents that divorced during their childhood between the individual's birth and the age of 14. The results from multiple regression analyses indicated that alienation from father was a significant predictor of marital or dating relationship quality, and alienation from mother was a significant predictor of relationship happiness, satisfaction, and quality. As alienation from father or mother scores increased, the criterion variable scores decreased. Anxious attachment was also a significant predictor of relationship satisfaction as higher scores on anxious attachment resulted in lower relationship satisfaction scores. These findings have positive social change implications as practitioners may use the results to help individuals better understand their relationships and identify the negative lasting effects of parental alienation in adult relationships.

The current nursing shortage is a pressing crisis that is expected to worsen over time. A key reason nurses leave nursing is burnout. The purpose of this study was to investigate personality hardiness and adult attachment style in relation to the development of burnout in licensed professional nurses. Hardiness theory and attachment theory indicated that each provided protection against burnout, but no research has been conducted to examine both factors in relation to burnout in nurses. Research Question 1 asked if there was a relationship between attachment style and total hardiness score; Research Question 2 asked if there was a relationship between attachment style and each of the hardiness facet scores (commitment, control, and challenge), and Research Question 3 asked if hardiness and attachment style had a combined impact on burnout scores. An online invitation was published on Facebook and linked to the study; 128 nurses agreed to participate in this survey. Participants provided demographic information, they completed the Dispositional Resilience Scale-Revised (DRS-15) to measure total hardiness and hardiness facet scores, the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) to measure attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, and the Burnout Measure, Short Version (BMS) to measure burnout. The data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), a Kruskal-Wallis H test, and a post-hoc multiple regression. Findings confirmed that secure attachment was associated with higher total hardiness, commitment was significant to attachment, and hardiness and attachment scores each contributed to burnout, but an interaction was not found. This study has implications for positive social change: more effective burnout prevention programs for nurses are needed to help limit the nursing shortage.

Abstract The quality of life of probationers remains low when reestablishing life in society. Research has been conducted on how siblings can provide support to juveniles, yet minimal research supported how adult sibling relationships have affected probationers' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of the effect sibling relationships may have on probationers' quality of life. Attachment theory was used as a theoretical framework to support the factors relating to sibling relationship types. This research study used a qualitative interview design in order to explore probationers' perspective of their sibling relationship type and quality of life. The sample (N = 6) came from Transcendence Foundation, a facility providing support to probationers in the South Central Region of Minnesota. A thematic analysis was used to interpret the perceptions probationers have of their relationship with their sibling and how it affects their quality of life. Based on the results from past research studies and this research study, siblings with supportive, warm, and positive relationships reduce the negative aspects and feelings of probationers. The results of this study could potentially help probationers increase their quality of life through the development of interventions involving sibling support. A higher quality of life can create positive social change for probationers reentering into society by increasing their feelings of self-worth and reducing recidivism.

Lacking a healthy attachment to a caregiver and having in-utero methamphetamine exposure have been linked to a variety of cognitive delays, developmental delays, and mental health issues throughout a person's lifespan. It is unknown if there is a relationship between in-utero methamphetamine exposure and the ability to build a healthy attachment to a caregiver. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to improve understanding of the perceptions of caregivers about attachment efforts for foster children under the age of 3, who have had in-utero methamphetamine exposure. This study was guided by attachment theory. Purposeful sampling was used to select 7 participants who had provided care to foster children with in-utero methamphetamine exposure within the last year. Data were collected through the use of semistructured interviews, which were conducted in-person, audiotaped, and then transcribed. Data was analyzed through text searches of themes, axial coding, and repetitive words. Trustworthiness was obtained through member checking and generating a rich description of the participants' experiences. The findings revealed that many of the participants feel that these children do not respond to their efforts to build a healthy attachment to them. They also felt that the foster children did not process stimuli, such as touch, in the same way as other children; that the foster children found such interactions to be aversive. The findings of this study have the potential to impact social change by assisting therapists, caseworkers, and foster parents better understand the needs of foster children and to create a foundation for interventions to better serve foster children with in-utero methamphetamine exposure.