<p>Attachment and personality disorders (PDs) both describe patterns of interpersonal dysfunction. Indeed, there are many similarities and few differences between these constructs, suggesting that they may represent two iterations of a common dimension. However, the paucity of empirical tests on this topic has precluded integration of clinical efforts. Also limiting clinical efforts is the inability to target individuals and relationships most prone to dysfunction. The current study used a large sample (N=812) of unselected undergraduates (N=355) and adults currently in psychological treatment (N=457) to test whether a joint hierarchical factor structure of attachment and PDs is tenable and whether it varies reliably by gender, treatment status, or attachment figure. Results suggested that attachment and PDs can be quantified jointly in specific instances of emotional lability and detachment, but attachment was not isomorphic with antagonistic, impulsigenic, or psychosis-spectrum traits. This joint structure was relatively consistent across attachment figures and treatment status but varied somewhat across gender. Clinical applications of these findings on commonalities of interpersonal dysfunction are discussed. </p>

The present study examined the effects of adult attachment and cultural orientation on sacrifice behaviors and the corresponding emotional reactions, using a cross-cultural sample in the U.S. and China. Strain-tests protocol was utilized in this study, in which an individual (i.e., the asker) was asked to share with their romantic partner a personal goal that required a major sacrifice from their partner (i.e., the responder), and then entered a discussion to process their plan of carrying out this goal. The final sample included 115 couples from the U.S. and 99 couples from China. Results indicated that responder's attachment avoidance was negatively associated with sacrifice offered to their partners and they reported more positive emotions as a result. The interaction between attachment anxiety and nationality was significant. Specifically, in the U.S. sample, individuals with high attachment anxiety were more likely to offer sacrifice for their partners, but this effect was reversed in the Chinese sample. In addition, interdependent self-construal (ISC) was a significant moderator for the relation between attachment anxiety and sacrifice behavior. Individuals who endorsed higher ISC and higher anxious attachment were less likely to make sacrifice for their partner. Furthermore, when individual offered more sacrifice, they reported more positive emotions in general, but this effect was stronger in the Chinese sample than the U.S. sample. In addition, it was found that responders who endorsed higher ISC offered more sacrifice to their partner when asked to. These results advanced our understanding of the complex role of adult attachment in negotiating situations when partners in romantic relationships have different goals, as well as possible cultural differences in the expression of the attachment influences. The findings also highlighted the systemic perspective in understanding the roles of both partners' individual traits (i.e., attachment) and cultural values (i.e., interdependent self-construal) on their behaviors (i.e., sacrifice) in romantic relationships. Counseling implications, limitations, and future research directions were discussed.

Dating violence among college students has become a pressing concern. However, to date, the bulk of the research in this area has attempted to discern correlates of marital violence. Little research has been paid to the isolation of predictors of violence that occurs early in the relationship. This paper demonstrates the utility of several risk factors identified among male college students in predicting dating violence. Factors included are history of abuse in the family of origin; insecure attachment style as measured by parental attachment and girlfriend attachment; attributional style; anger; and depression. Though it is likely that many other factors predict male dating violence, this study aims to isolate those factors that operate within the framework of history of abuse and insecure attachment. Results indicated the following: 1. History of abuse accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in predicting dating violence. 2. The interaction of attachment to family and partner was related to verbal aggression and abuse toward and from the partner. 3. Attributional style did not significantly predict dating violence beyond history of abuse. 4. Depression was not significantly related to dating violence; however, anger was significantly and directly related to verbal aggression and overall abuse from self toward partner. 5. Results were also discussed in terms of the four abuse criteria, including some notable findings regarding partner attachment style and direction of abuse. In addition, implications for treatment and prevention and suggestions for future research were offered. / Master of Science

Over 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Researchers have attempted to identify factors that help marriages endure by studying personality, attachment styles, and gender. However, few researchers have examined how dyadic interactions of personality types and attachment types influence marital satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of enneagram personality types on marital satisfaction within 3 groups of attachment types: couples who (a) both demonstrate a secure attachment style, (b) contain one member who demonstrates an insecure attachment style and the other who demonstrates a secure attachment style, and (c) both demonstrate an insecure attachment style. Grounded in attachment theory, interpersonal theory, and the enneagram, complementary personality types should relate to greater global marital satisfaction, independent from attachment style. This cross-sectional study used the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator, the Satisfaction With Married Life Scale, and the Revised Adult Attachment Scale to collect data from 324 married couples. A factorial ANOVA indicated that couples having one or both partners who exhibit a secure attachment style have significantly greater global marital satisfaction scores than if both partners have an insecure attachment style. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in global marital satisfaction scores among couples who exhibit any enneagram personality type. Additionally, the interaction effect of enneagram personality types and attachment types were not statistically significant for global marital satisfaction. Therapists can integrate these results with their current model of treatment when working with couples toward forming an earned secure attachment, thereby, improving the effectiveness of couple therapy which may create systemic social change.

This is a collection of short stories linked by place and subject. I rely on concrete details, rhythm and tone to create the place and setting of the Tivoli Bay, which acts as a central force in the lives of the characters. The characters are drawn to the bay and to one another by the neediness of secrets.

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Viewing motivation to volunteer through an attachment theory perspective may enhance understanding of volunteering motivations. A questionnaire was administered to (N=155) emerging adult college students using a Lykert-type scale (1 - 7) to assess attachment (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991) and motivation to volunteer (Omoto & Snyder, 1994). Five forward linear regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of attachment style on motivation to volunteer. For each analysis, one of the five motivations to volunteer variables (values, understanding, esteem enhancement, personal development, community concern) was regressed on the combination of four attachment style variables (secure, avoidant, anxious ambivalent, dismissing avoidant). Findings indicate that Secure significantly predicted Values, Understanding, and Community Concern; Anxious Ambivalent predicted Understanding, Personal Development, Community Concern, and Esteem Enhancement; and Dismissing Avoidant predicted Understanding. These findings partially support the hypothesized notion that securely individuals would likely report selfless motivations; whereas, insecure individuals would likely report self-serving motivations.

The rates of the US hospitalization and mortality caused by Listeria monocytogenes was estimated to be the highest of 31 food-borne pathogens including Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, and Clostridium. This pathogen has an ability to survive under extreme conditions widely found in the natural environment and food. Among 13 serovars L. monocytogenes serovar 4b, 1/2a and 1/2b are mainly associated with human listeriosis outbreaks. The deadliest outbreaks of human listeriosis and massive product recalls in multi-states were associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) food products such as mexican-style cheese, turkey deli meat, cabbage, and cantaloupes contaminated with the bacterium. Thus, contamination of food products with L. monocytogenes is a major concern for the food industry, regulatory agents and consumers. This study used oligonucleotide probe-based DNA array, quantitative real time RT-PCR, gene manipulation, biochemical assays, and electron microscopy techniques to better understand the molecular mechanisms of L. monocytogenes under stress conditions on various food matrices,. The transcriptome profiles of L. monocytogenes via microarray analysis and quantitative PCR identified genes that are involved in adaptation, attachment, or survival and growth of the pathogen under a stress condition on a food matrix. The mechanistic and functional studies further characterized the biological properties of L. monocytogenes in various RTE food products. We showed that specific genes involved in energy metabolism, biosynthesis of proteins, and cellular processes to affect listerial growth or adaptation to a RTE meat matrix were changed with no associated changes in virulence factor expression. We also reported that the effects of salt stress on the expression of genes involved in PTS and its related metabolic enzymes in L. monocytogenes. In addition, a novel gene involved in attachment to RTE vegetables and fruits was discovered. The concern about the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in RTE food has been escalated by recent food-borne outbreaks, suggesting that the prevention of human listeriosis become the top priority for the food industry. Data from these studies help us to better understand the survival, growth and contamination of the bacterium under different conditions. The information will help the development of prevention strategies in RTE meat products, vegetables and fruits.

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