Past work has linked self-injurious behavior (SIB) to a history of traumatic experiences and to problems regulating affect. While this affect dysregulation is conceptualized as occurring at a biological (as well as a behavioral) level, relatively little is known about the biological mechanisms involved. The current study explored whether reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to an interpersonal stressor mediated the relation between trauma and SIB in a sample of 178 18-21 year-old heterosexual dating couples. As predicted, both trauma experience and symptoms positively predicted SIB. While the mediating model was not supported, SIB was associated with an HPA axis response marked by heightened reactivity to interpersonal stress within the context of lower cortisol levels. Trauma symptoms and experience interacted with adult attachment security to predict HPA axis response in different ways for men and women, a compelling set of findings suggesting the importance of contextual factors in the study of trauma and HPA axis function. Future directions for the study of trauma, HPA axis reactivity, and SIB are discussed.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the suitability of using Bowlby'­s attachment theory as a lens to study intimate partner violence. Extant data from thirty couples self-reporting violence in their relationship, was used. Individual audiotaped interviews from a study unrelated to attachment were transcribed. Ten interviews (five couples) were selected for coding. Applying the modified analytic induction method, as outlined by Gilgun, the data fell into thematic categories that provided a foundation for a narrative about each dyadic system. Representative constructs such as internal working models, adult attachment, caregiving, automatic arousal and abandonment, emerged naturally from the data. The iterative nature of the methodology demanded continual refinement and refocusing. The participants'­ words painted the picture of violence in their relationship. Direct quotes authenticated the research and gave it an experiential aspect. Results demonstrated that attachment theory is an excellent lens through which to study intimate partner violence, suggesting it be embraced in future family systems research. / Master of Science

International students face a variety of challenges in their acculturation process. The acculturation process is a highly variable process that is influenced by the mediating and moderating effects of individual factors that exist prior to, or arise during, acculturation (Berry, 1997). Among the moderating personal factors existing prior to acculturation, adult attachment has received heightened attention as an important variable impacting the acculturation process and adaptation outcomes. Wang and Mallinckrodt (2006a) suggested that successful adaptation involves exploration of unfamiliar social situations that resemble the infants’ exploration of their physical surroundings. The acculturation process can be challenging and stressful because individuals going through this process often encounter disparities in various situations. Similar to infants, whose attachment system tends to be activated particularly in a distressing situation, threatening events or situations in one’s adult life also activate the attachment behavioral system of seeking proximity to attachment figures for security and support. Limited research has investigated the relationship between adult attachment and the acculturation processes (e.g., Brisset, Safdar, Lewis, & Sabatier, 2010; Sochos & Diniz, 2011). Previous research has highlighted a link between adult attachment (e.g., attachment styles and attachment security) and psychological adaptation. However, the relationship between adult attachment and international students’ other acculturation outcomes (e.g., sociocultural adaptation) remains unclear in the existing literature due to inconsistent previous findings. The current study addressed the gaps in the literature by focusing on international students’ acculturation processes and examined how adult attachment contributes to, or influences, their adaptation. Data was collected from 228 international students that are enrolled in higher education institutions in different geographic locations in the United States. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted for data analysis. The results suggest that attachment anxiety was a significant predictor of international students’ psychological adaptation. Attachment avoidance significantly moderated the effect of acculturation to the U.S. culture on international students’ psychological distress, while attachment anxiety was a marginally significant moderator for the effect of acculturation to the U.S. culture on sociocultural adaptation. Attachment avoidance also moderated the effects of physical assault and behavioral discrimination on international students’ self-esteem. Study limitations and future directions are discussed.

This thesis examines the role of self-acceptance in romantic relationships and the relationship between self-acceptance and individuals' adulthood attachment style. The theoretical part describes self-acceptance mainly in context of Person Centered Approach (PCA) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), investigates methods of measuring self-acceptance, and puts it in relation to self-esteem, self- compassion, mindfulness, well-being and psychological health. Romantic relationships, adult attachment and their link to self-acceptance are also described. The empirical quantitative research was conducted on a sample of 155 respondents using Czech translation of the Unconditional Positive Self-Regard Scale (UPSRS), the Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ) and Experience in Close Relationships - Relationship Structures (ECR-RS). The results show negative correlation of attachment Anxiety and partial negative correlation of attachment Avoidance and self-acceptance. Significantly higher scores of self-acceptance were found in individuals with a secure adult attachment style than in those with fearful and preoccupied adult attachment style. Based on empirical findings the similarity of self-acceptance and model of the self in adult attachment was proposed and self-acceptance was...

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the influence of adult attachment styles on the engagement of employees in an attempt to address increasing losses in U.S. work productivity. Researchers have documented that organizations able to maintain better manager-employee relationships demonstrated positive employee engagement and improved productivity. However, a distinct gap in the literature remains as to how organizational leaders can stimulate healthier manager-employee relationships. Adult attachment theory was used as the foundation to explore how employees' relationships with their immediate manager affect their work engagement. To address this question, a purposeful sample of 16 full time mid level employees who had a direct line reporting relationship to an immediate manager were selected from various industries across the United States. The Experiences of Close Relationship Relationship Structures questionnaire was used to assess the employee's attachment style prior to in-depth interviews being performed to gather rich data on their lived experiences. Interview data was analyzed using the modified 7-step Van Kaam method of phenomenological analysis. Two themes emerged: employees have a need for purpose and value, and employees require varying levels of dependency. These findings indicate that managers must cater to the attachment needs of the employee to positively address productivity losses. Implications for positive social change pertain to both the financial benefits derived from an increase in industry productivity and profitability levels due to improvements in employee engagement, as well as the recovery of employees' commitment to the workplace through the provision of a healthy work environment.

The present study investigated the role of anxiety and avoidance dimensions of attachment and big five personality traits in adaptive and maladaptive dimensions of perfectionism. A pilot study was carried out with 408 (260 males and 148 females) preparatory school students of Middle East Technical University (METU) for the adaptation studies of Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R). The results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded a 21 item scale with three factors / Standards, Discrepancy and Order. The results of convergent and divergent and criterion-related validity studies revealed evidence for the adaptive and maladaptive dimensions of perfectionism. As for the main purpose of the study, three questionnaires, namely APS-R, Relationship Scales Questionnaire and Big Five Inventory were administered to 604 (377 males and 227 females) preparatory school students of METU. The results of three multiple regression analysis revealed that adaptive perfectionism as measured by Standards scores was significantly predicted by Conscientiousness, Openness and Extraversion. Maladaptive perfectionism as measured by Discrepancy scores was predicted by Neuroticism, Anxiety and Avoidance dimensions of attachment. Order scores used as an additional analysis were found to be predicted by Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness.

Substance abuse and dependence causes many problems in our society. Attachment style may be useful in the etiology of this problem. Using archival data, this study hypothesizes men in a court-ordered facility will be more likely to have an insecure attachment style. The participants were 73 males ages 18-49. The Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) was used to measure adult romantic attachment style. Through cluster analysis and conversion of the subscales of the AAS, four attachment styles were measured. Men were more likely to have an insecure attachment style especially a Fearful style. The study concludes with limitations of the results and a discussion about possible interventions based on attachment style.

No description available.

Since the percentage of single adults is steadily increasing, the reasons for this development have become a matter of growing interest. Hereby, an individual’s attachment style may have a connection to the partnership status. In the following analysis, attachment style, gender, age, education, and income were compared in regard to the partnership status. Furthermore, an analysis of variance was computed to compare the attachment style within different groups. In 2012, a sample of 1,676 representative participants was used. The participants were aged 18 to 60 (M = 41.0, SD = 12.3); 54% of the sample were female, and 40% were single. Attachment-related attitudes were assessed with the German version of the adult attachment scale (AAS). Single adult males did not show a more anxious attachment style than single adult females or females in relationships. Younger, i.e., 18 to 30 years old, paired individuals showed greater attachment anxiety than single individuals, whereby single individuals between the ages of 31 to 45 showed greater attachment anxiety than individuals in relationships. In addition, single individuals more frequently had obtained their high school diploma in contrast to individuals in relationships. Concerning attachment style, the individuals who had not completed their high school diploma showed less faith in others independent of singlehood or being in a relationship. Concerning age, older single individuals, i.e., 46 to 60 years, felt less comfortable in respect to closeness and showed less faith in others compared to paired individuals. Logistic regression showed that individuals were not single if they did not mind depending on others, showed high attachment anxiety, were older, and had lower education. An income below € 2000/month was linked to a nearly 13-fold increase of likelihood of being single. In sum, the attachment style had a differential age-dependent association to singlehood versus being in a relationship. Education played also a role, exclusively concerning faith in others.

No description available.