This thesis examines the narratives of Black youth and their parents about their experiences in Winnipeg schools. The study looks at aspects of academic achievement and school engagement. The study explores similar research based in Eastern Canada and the United States. Youth and parents were interviewed individually as a way of cross referencing the lived experiences of the young people involved in the study. In the paper, it is argued that Black youth in Winnipeg may feel disconnected to school and schooling because they cannot attach to the curriculum, they cannot attach to their teachers, and/or they cannot attach to their peer groups. The author explores the factors that influence the engagement and achievement of Black youth. The paper concludes by pointing out the implications of these stories on the structure of schooling and the practice of educators.

The recognition of psychological maltreatment as a distinct form of child maltreatment worthy of independent investigation occurred only as recently as the late 1970s. Today, there is a growing consensus among professionals that not only is psychological maltreatment far more prevalent than was once realized, but also that it lies at the core of all major forms of abuse and neglect. Furthermore, its impact has been judged by some to be more damaging than the effects of either physical or sexual abuse. The current study examined individuals who reported having experienced childhood psychological maltreatment in comparison to a control group who reported not having experienced any form of childhood maltreatment. The attachment styles of the maltreated and non-maltreated groups were compared with respect to a two-dimensional model of attachment. It was hypothesized that maltreated individuals would have less secure adult attachment relationships than their non-maltreated counterparts. Results indicated that individuals who reported childhood psychological maltreatment were indeed more likely than their non-maltreated counterparts to have developed a self-reported insecure attachment style in their adult relationships, characterized by higher levels of both attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety. A secondary goal of the study was to determine whether self-reports of the two attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) were associated with theoretically coherent constellations of Rorschach projective responses. No evidence of associations between the projective responses and the self-report measure of these attachment dimensions was found in either the maltreated or the non-maltreated group, suggesting the need for further research in this area.

Wound-related pain is complex, integrating the experience of noncyclic acute wound pain, cyclic acute wound pain, and chronic wound pain (Krasner 1995). More than 80% of chronic wound patients report pain during wound dressing change. A constellation of physical and psychological factors may be involved in the mediation of pain during wound dressing change. A burgeoning body of evidence suggests the intricate relationship between anxiety and pain. In this study, the attachment framework was examined to determine how personal views of self (attachment anxiety) and others (attachment avoidance) may affect pain during dressing change. Attachment styles are systematic patterns of expectations, emotional reactivity, strategies for distress management and social behaviour that are based on an individual’s belief about the self and others. Internal working models are cognitive-affective schemas that guide the attachment patterns. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of attachment style and pain during dressing change in an older population. In particular the study focussed on the role that anxiety, anticipatory self reported pain, and behavioural expression of pain play in this relationships. Method: A questionnaire was used in this cross-sectional study to classify 96 older subjects into four different categories of attachment styles. Subjects were asked to rate their levels of anticipatory pain and actual pain levels at different times during wound care using a numerical rating scale. Results: The results indicated that subjects experienced more pain during dressing change than at baseline. Secure subjects reported less pain and anxiety than subjects with other attachment styles. Results of regression analysis indicated that anxiety mediated the relationship between attachment and pain. Conclusion: The results of this study also support the role that attachment plays in the experience of pain in older adults. Clinicians must be cognizant of the impact of personality, anxiety, and anticipation of pain on the actual pain experience.

Background: Some women develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress following childbirth. There is preliminary evidence that cognitive variables may be associated with the development or maintenance of these symptoms. Research indicates that symptoms of posttraumatic stress following childbirth may have negative consequences for mother-infant relationship outcomes. However, these may be attributable to comorbid symptoms of depression. Further evidence is required regarding the nature of the relationships between these variables. Methods: An internet based cross-sectional questionnaire design was employed to test hypothesised relationships between maternal attachment experiences, metacognition, symptoms of PTSD and depression and perceptions of the mother-infant bond, in an analogue sample of new mothers. Structural equation modelling was employed for the principal analysis. Results: The final structural model demonstrated a good fit to sample data. Metacognition fully mediated the relationship between attachment experiences and postnatal psychological outcomes. The association between posttraumatic stress and maternal perceptions of the mother-infant bond was fully mediated by depression. Conclusions: Metacognition may have a key role in the development and maintenance of postnatal psychological distress. If clinically significant postnatal depression is identified, screening for posttraumatic stress is strongly indicated.

The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate the broader consequences of rumination. This entailed exploring the emotional and interpersonal outcomes of rumination at both an individual and dyadic level. A secondary objective was to investigate the unique contribution of attachment to rumination, and the contributing influence of context, with rumination in the confines of a romantic relationship specifically explored. It is proposed that insecure attachment may be both associated with an increased engagement in rumination and a greater likelihood of negative consequences as the result of ruminating. It is also proposed that rumination will not only have consequences for the individual, but that it will also have consequences for their romantic partner. Studies 1 and 2 explored the broader consequences of rumination, and the contribution of attachment, for the individual who is ruminating. Both studies involved student samples. Self-report data from Study 1 confirmed rumination was significantly correlated with depressive symptoms, depressive mood and the negative emotions of shame, guilt and anger. Rumination was also significantly correlated with insecure attachment. Together, rumination and insecure attachment were found to have a unique additive effect on the experience of depressive symptoms, shame and guilt. For depressive mood and anger, insecure attachment was found to moderate the effect of rumination. In Study 2 the relationship among rumination, attachment, negative emotion and interpersonal feelings was investigated experimentally. The contribution of context was also explored with individuals asked to either ruminate or distract after thinking about a negative relationship event. Correlational analyses indicated rumination was significantly associated with greater levels of negative emotion and relationship conflict, and lower levels of relationship depth and support. Experimental results confirmed ruminating on a negative relationship event resulted in lower levels of overall mood than distracting. Ruminating on a negative relationship event (as compared to distracting) did not result in lower levels of relationship satisfaction or relationship closeness, or greater negative feelings about the relationship. Neither anxious-ambivalent nor avoidant attachment significantly contributed to the experience of negative emotion or negative interpersonal feelings when ruminating (versus distracting) on a negative or typical relationship event. Studies 3 and 4 explored the broader consequences of rumination for both the individual and their romantic partner. Study 3 involved a student sample, while Study 4 involved a community sample of adults. All couples were in a heterosexual relationship. Structural Equation Modelling confirmed the presence of emotional and interpersonal consequences of rumination for both samples of individuals. In regards to the consequences of rumination for one’s partner, results for the student sample indicated rumination in males was associated with greater levels of negative emotion but also lower levels of conflict in their partner. Rumination in females was associated with greater negative emotion in the relationship and greater levels of conflict for their partner. For the community sample, rumination in males was associated with greater relationship satisfaction for their partner. Study 5 also explored rumination in the context of a romantic relationship. It did this by investigating the emotional and interpersonal consequences of verbally ruminating with a partner (referred to as co-rumination; Rose, 2002). A within-subjects experimental design was utilised where couples were asked to both co-ruminate, and to reflect together on a negative and a positive relationship event. Results indicated co-ruminating on a negative event resulted in greater relationship closeness and perceptions of support. Results also suggested that females felt they were giving more support to their partner while co-ruminating, while males felt they were giving more support while co-reflecting. No significant effect of co-rumination on emotion was noted. Overall, the current thesis has extended the literature by providing evidence that rumination has several broader consequences beyond its established relationship with depression. Specifically, it has been shown here that rumination not only affects an individual’s emotions but that it also influences their interpersonal feelings. A deeper understanding of the complexities of rumination has also been provided with results highlighting the importance of the content of ruminative thought and the internalised nature of rumination. In regards to contributors to rumination, results have increased our understanding of the role of insecure attachment in contributing to the tendency to ruminate and to the relationship between rumination, emotion and interpersonal feelings. Results have also highlighted the importance of context with rumination associated with emotional and interpersonal consequences both for the individual who is ruminating and for their romantic partner. The implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed in depth throughout this thesis.

Little literature currently exists on naps in infancy, particularly in Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings. This study follows previous research by Stuart (2011) on children attending ECE Centres. The objective of the current study was to examine the architecture of naps in infants who were transitioning to attendance at an ECE Centre. Four males and one female aged between 4 and 11 months contributed to five case studies. Digital video recordings were made of participants napping in two settings: the home and the ECE Centre. Baseline recordings were made in the home only, and recordings were made in both settings as infants transitioned to the ECE Centre, and once they were deemed to be “settled” at the centre. The recordings were then coded to determine sleep states and amount of caregiver interaction. The results showed that all infants displayed a reaction to the transition to ECE attendance. However, the transition to the ECE Centre had a minimal effect on most infants’ home naps. Overall, naps were longer and more efficient at home than at the ECE Centre, and infants engaged in more Active Sleep than Quiet Sleep in both settings. Caregiver interaction during naps also differed between the settings. This is an important area of study as attendance at ECE Centres in New Zealand is increasing (Ministry of Education, 2011b), and as such, suggestions for future research have been made.

No description available.

Past research has found support for Equity Theory and Attachment Theory in predicting relationship satisfaction. According to Equity Theory, individuals feel satisfied when they are engaged in equitable relationships, where the ratio of benefits to costs is the same across partners. On the other hand, Attachment Theory postulates that a secure attachment style predicts high relationship satisfaction. Although an extensive number of studies have supported these predictions, the present study was the first to compare or integrate Equity Theory and Attachment Theory in predicting relationship satisfaction. A total of 384 introductory psychology students completed questionnaires. Simultaneous multiple regression indicated that partner’s input and the avoidance dimension of attachment were the two largest predictors of relationship satisfaction among overall sample. Hypotheses regarding the relation between equity level and attachment styles were only partially supported. In addition, three proposed models for predicting satisfaction were tested. The first model, based on Equity Theory, showed that underbenefiting exchange orientation, communal orientation, and closeness predicted the level of equity, which in turn led to relationship satisfaction. The second model, based on Attachment Theory, indicated that attachment styles affected the level of self-disclosure leading to intimacy and closeness, which predicted satisfaction. The third model integrated the two theories and showed that attachment styles predicted equity, which influenced the level of self-disclosure. Self-disclosure influenced intimacy and closeness, which led to relationship satisfaction. The integrated model best predicted relationship satisfaction among the three proposed models. Finally, sex differences and differences between friendships and dating relationships were also discussed.

This study compared the presentation of attachment quality and maternal psychological functioning among children diagnosed with a psychological/behavioral disorder to the presentation of attachment quality and maternal psychological functioning among children not diagnosed with a psychological/behavioral disorder.Participants included a clinical group composed of 8 Caucasian mothers of male children diagnosed with a behavioral/emotional disorder and a nonclinical group composed of 24 Caucasian mothers of male children not diagnosed with a behavioral/emotional disorder. The groups were compared on their responses to the Personality Assessment Screener, Parent/Child Reunion Inventory, and Relationship Questionnaire.Results found that mother psychological functioning was significantly related to ratings of insecure parent-child attachment. In addition, mother ratings of their adult attachment relationships were associated with ratings of parent-child attachment security/insecurity for 3 of 4 adult attachment styles. Information gathered during this study provided preliminary insight into the complex nature of parent-child relationships as they co-exist with maternal psychological functioning. / Department of Educational Psychology

Bowlby’s (1973) theory of adult attachment was used to provide a theoretical framework for the present study, which examined the relationship between adult attachment and depression. Social support, self-esteem, and optimism were proposed as potential mediating factors. Two competing models were designed and tested to investigate relationships among variables. Models were determined a priori based on theoretical and empirical literature. In the primary model, adult attachment was proposed to influence depression both directly and also indirectly through social support, self esteem and optimism. Alternately, in the second model, additional paths were added from social support and optimism to self esteem. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the fit of the two models to the data for the present study. Hypotheses of the study were that insecure attachment styles would correlate with negative outcomes, including dissatisfaction with social support, low self-esteem, pessimistic life orientation, and depressive symptoms. The hypothesized relationships among variables were supported by the data. Specifically, adult attachment directly influenced social support, self-esteem, and optimism; adult attachment indirectly influenced self-esteem through social support and optimism; finally, attachment, social support, and optimism indirectly influenced depression through self-esteem. In the discussion section, implications for theory and practice, methodological limitations, and directions for future research are provided. Results of the study conclude that attachment style has the potential to significantly influence many different areas of life functioning, including satisfaction with social support, self-esteem, levels of optimism, and depression. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services