Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Grasping Love : How Relationships Help Us Know God, Dennis Gregory Mcelyea

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Systematic Review On Anxious Attachment And Relationship Satisfaction, Laura Mendez

Theses and Dissertations

Romantic relationships can serve as a source of intimacy, security, support, and comfort for many individuals. Many studies have identified adult attachment as an important predictor of romantic relationship/marital satisfaction. However, many studies have found anxious attachment to be a predictor of poor relationship satisfaction. Moreover, individuals high in attachment anxiety have been found to constantly worry and ruminate about their relationships, specifically, about the fear of being abandoned or rejected by their romantic partner. As such, it is important to further understand which factors strengthen or weaken relationship/marital satisfaction in anxiously attached adults. This systematic review aimed to answer …

A Systematic Review On The Relationship Between Attachment Styles And Chronic Pain, Samantha M. Cohen

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain (CP), a leading cause of disability, is associated with addiction, physical and psychosocial impairment and tremendous financial burden. Childhood experiences contribute to the genesis of different attachment styles. Attachment theory offers a useful framework for the conceptualization of CP, with different attachment styles impacting the experience and clinical manifestations of CP. This systematic review aims to evaluate the relationship between attachment styles and CP, to investigate which attachment styles pose the greatest risk for CP, to examine how CP is expressed in the context of different attachment styles, and to gain insight regarding the treatment approach to CP. …

Adult Children Of Divorce : How Do Attachment Insecurity And Interparental Conflict Contribute To Romantic Relationship Satisfaction?, Hannah Muetzelfeld

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Research has shown that children of divorce who are exposed to high levels of interparental conflict tend to have worse adult outcomes than individuals not so exposed (e.g., Gager, Yabiku, & Linver, 2016), including damage to their romantic relationships (Cui, Fincham, & Durtschi, 2011; Feeney, 2006). The present study investigated the contributing role of adult attachment insecurity (i.e., attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety) to the relation between recollections of interparental conflict during childhood and adult romantic relationship satisfaction. A convenience sample of 678 U.S. participants (319 men, 345 women) whose parents had divorced prior to their reaching age 18 completed …

The Role Of Caregiver Disruption In The Development Of Juvenile Sexual Offenders, Miranda Sitney

Dissertations and Theses

In the last decade, it has been recognized that juveniles commit as much as 20% of all sexual offenses in the United States (DOJ, 2004). Research that attempts to understand why young people commit sex crimes points to an array of family factors that may uniquely contribute to the development of sexual offending over and above general juvenile delinquency. This study specifically examines disrupted caregiving, or receiving insufficient or substitute care, as a potential moderator in the relationship between offense status and caregiver-child relationship quality. Four distinct moderators were tested: gender of caregiver, biological relationship between caregiver and child, number …

An Exploration Of The Influence Of Attachment Style On The Link Between Ptsd And Relationship Discord In Veterans, John Franklin Carroll-Barbuto

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract

I'M Not All That: A Look At The Imposter Phenomenon In Intimate Relationships, Chante Alvarado

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

"This study was conducted to examine the possible relationships between individuals experiencing the imposter phenomenon and their attachment styles within intimate relationships. The hypothesis was that individuals who score high on the Clance Imposter Phenomenon (IP) Scale (Clance, 1985) would perceive their relationship as less stable and that they were unworthy of their partner. Individuals who score high on the Clance IP Scale would also show an insecure attachment style. The sample population consisted of Eastern Washington University students who filled out several questionnaires that pertain to the imposter phenomenon, attachment styles, and relationship experiences. Results suggested that individuals with …

Unfinished Business In Bereavement: A Mixed Methods Study, Kara Lee Klingspon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Unfinished business(incomplete, unexpressed or unresolved relationship issues with the deceased) is frequently discussed as a risk factor for chronic and severe grief reactions. However, few empirical studies have examined this construct. The present study aimed to address this gap in the literature by examining the presence and severity of unfinished business as well as common themes of unfinished business reported in open-ended qualitative narratives among a sample of 256 bereaved individuals. In bivariate analyses, self-reported presence of unfinished business and the severity of distress due to unfinished business were both found to be associated with higher levels of distress and …

Attachment And Adolescent Offending: An Examination Of The Links Between Sexually Abusive Behavior And The Level Of Attachment To Parents And Peers, Lee Anna Knox

Dissertations and Theses

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is recognized as a public health problem with consequences affecting all levels of the ecological model. In recent years it has been recognized that up to 40% of reported sexual offenses occur at the hands of adolescent offenders (Burton, 2000), who are defined as children aged 12-18 years. In recent years, research has suggested that attachment deficits contribute to sexual offending behavior in adolescence. The current study augments the sparse research with adolescent offenders and by exploring of the participant's perceived attachment to important others (mother/mother figures, father/father figures, and peers/friends). Participants included 101 Juvenile sex …

The Relationship Between Childhood Attachment Style And Adult Dissociation, Laura Michelle Swiney

ETD Archive

The relationship between attachment style and dissociation was examined in this study. A total of 36 undergraduate students were administered self-report questionnaires that revealed their attachment style, and then underwent two tasks (dot-staring and mirror-staring) to evoke acute dissociative symptoms. In a repeated-measures design, it was found that individuals with insecure attachment experienced a significant increase in dissociation following both of the tasks than did those who were securely attached. Additionally, this increase was significantly greater for those participants who reported higher everyday dissociation

Csa Survivors: What Heals And What Hurts In A Couple Relationship, Laura S. Smedley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a significant trauma that affects a person's self-concept and the ability to form healthy intimate relationships later in adulthood. Approximately 20% of adults who experience childhood sexual abuse go on to evidence serious psychopathology in adulthood (Harway & Faulk, 2005). Besides individual disturbances, CSA survivors struggle with many relational difficulties. These difficulties are usually most pronounced among their intimate partners (Reid, et al., 1995). According to attachment theory, attachment injuries are best healed in the context of a healthy, intimate relationship (Kochka & Carolan, 2002) (MacIntosh & Johnson, 2008). Conversely, the couple relationship may be …

A Brief Content Analysis Of Attachment And Sexual Relationships In Sex Therapy And Research Journals, Kathryn Zambrano Devis

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A surge of scholarly publications on attachment within couple relationships prompted this content analysis of attachment articles published in six sex therapy and sex research journals. This study investigates the extent to which these journals attend to attachment in the context of adult sexual relationships. The researcher found 2257 articles published within these journals; 64 of which attend to attachment and 9 of which attend to attachment and sex. Implications for couples therapy in the field of sex therapy and future directions are discussed.

Influences On Father Involvement: Testing For Unique Contributions Of Religion And Spirituality, Mark Lynn

Dissertations (1934 -)

The role of the father in children's development historically has been neglected. Studies examining family processes were primarily limited to mothers, under the assumption that mothers' influences encapsulated what (little) effects could also be attributed to the father. Although theory and research have begun to address fathers' roles in families in earnest, there is still much work to be done, particularly in regard to understanding the determinants of father involvement. One direction that has received attention from researchers is towards a conceptualization of environmental and contextual influences on fathers' interactions with their families. The goal of this study was to …

A Positive Development View Of Risk-Taking : Attachment, Mental Health, Internal Control, And Life Engagement, Lauren Michelle Denneson

Dissertations and Theses

Previous research has primarily focused on potential negative outcomes of risk-taking (e.g., Byrnes, Miller, & Schafer, 1999). However, risk-taking may be beneficial for our mental health. Currently, the United States (U.S.) is seeing an increase in the prevalence and incidence of anxiety and depressive symptoms (N1MH, 2002, 2003, 2006; WHO, 2001). At the same time, individuals in the U.S. spend a large percentage of time in low-energy, "time wasting" activities, such as watching television (United States Department of Labor, 2007), which is in discord with how our stress response functions optimally (Sapolsky, 1998; Dhabhar, 2002). Furthermore, attachment theory posits a …

The Influence Of Adult Attachment Styles On Coping With Bereavement, Sarah Wice

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study explored the associations between adult attachment style, coping style, religious beliefs, and experiences with grief. Participants from local bereavement and religious groups completed questionnaires about these constructs.

Hyp. 1-2 predicted that greater endorsement of Secure and Dismissingly Avoidant attachment styles would be associated with less Subjective Distress. Results partially supported these hypotheses. Hyp. 3-6 predicted that the relationship between a Substitute Attachment Figure and adult attachment style would be associated with religious beliefs. Results did not support these hypotheses. Hyp. 7-9 predicted that greater endorsement of Secure and Dismissingly Avoidant attachment styles would be associated with more problem …

The Role Of Attachment And Social Support In Vocational Maturity, Jason Gallo

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Much research has been conducted to underscore the positive influence of a secure attachment style on numerous adaptive behaviors and the potential negative impact of insecure attachment. Previous research has shown a positive relationship between secure attachment and some elements of adaptive career behavior. However, thus far, the relationship between attachment and all dimensions of vocational maturity set forth by Super (1977) have not been studied. The first goal of the present study was to examine whether or not a significant relationship exists between attachment and all dimensions of vocational maturity. A sample of college students (n = 140) was …

The Impact Of The Parent-Adolescent Relationship On Risky Internet Behavior, Jefferey Lewis Sanders

Theses Digitization Project

This study suggests that adolescents with a poor self-esteem and poor social development are more at risk for online predators. Adolescents from insecure parent-child relationships could be at greater risk for engaging in risky online internet behavior. The primary purpose of this study is to examine this link.

Reactive Attachment Disorder: Challenges For Early Identification And Intervention Within The Schools, Kimberly K. Floyd, Peggy Hester, Harold C. Griffin, Jeannie Golden, Lora Lee Smith Canter

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Attachment is of key importance in childhood development. The quality of attachment relationship between the child and parent/primary caregiver may have an effect on the child and future relationships and social success (Rubin, Bukowski, & Parker, 1998). When a child fails to bond with a caring adult, attachment becomes disordered and children may not be able to bond appropriately or at all with other people. This inability to relate and connect with others may disrupt or arrest not only children's social development, but also their overall development. The purpose of this review is to synthesize information and research on characteristics, …

Early Familial Misogyny: Its Impact On Attachment Security And Later Caregiving Behaviors, Debra Dee Kirtland

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to look at the impact of early misogynistic treatment of females on subsequent attachment security and the quality of the later caregiving of their own children. A Misogyny Scale was created for use in this study.

Parental Attachment As A Predictor Of Sexual, Physical, And Emotional Abuse Revictimization, Kimberly Lynn Glass

Theses Digitization Project

Explores why revictimization occurs in women who were sexually abused as children. Examines variables such as nature and severity of childhood abuse, attachment, and self-esteem to identify predictors of repeated abuse. A correlational-regression approach was used to test the hypothesis that lower positive attachment to parental figures, mediated by low self-esteem, will be associated with revictimization in adulthood. Approximately 150 women (Age = 18 to 54; M = 27) from various communities across Southern California participated in the study. Results did not support the hypothesis. Though self-esteem was correlated with both attachment and revictimization individually, there was no mediational effect …

Impact Of Maternal Attachment Security On Emotional Experession In Young Males, Noemi Ramirez

Theses Digitization Project

Examines the relationship between early maternal attachment security and verbal emotional expression in males. Participants were 115 male college students aged 18 to 25 years (M=20.0 yrs.) who completed a questionnaire comprised of two measures of early maternal attachment security, two measures of emotional expression, and demographic items. Results showed a low to moderate relationship between early attachment security and verbal emotional expression.

Developing A Tool To Assess Mother-Child Attachment, Lisa Rebecca Romero

Theses Digitization Project

The Maternal Attachment Inventory - Revised (MAI-R) developed by Mary Müller in 1994, was used to examine attachment qualities between mothers and children enrolled in an Early Head Start program. Each mother's ratings of her attachment to her child was compared to teachers' perceptions of the mother's attachment to her child.

Witnessing Violence: The Link To Reactive Aggression, Nicole Marie Stevens

Theses Digitization Project

This study uses a multiple regression correlational (MRC) analytic approach to examine the association between witnessing violence and reactive aggression, post-traumatic stress, and insecure attachment. One hundred adult male California State University students were surveyed using the Conflict Tactics Scale, the Adolescent Anger Rating Scale, the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment scale, the Child Report of Post Traumatic Symptoms scale, the Conduct Disorder scale, and the Modified Impact of Events scale.

Interpersonal Forgiveness In Close Relationships: An Attachment Perspective, Linda Susan Krajewski

Theses Digitization Project

Close interpersonal relationships are the foundation of human society. The goal in this study was to investigate the relationships between forgiveness (self and others) and the two dimensions of attachment (anxiety and avoidance).

Self-Other Similarity, Attachment Styles, And Duration Of Romantic Relationships, Akiko Tamamura

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Bowlby’s attachment theory states that experiences with primary caregivers and others in early childhood allow one to form internal “working models” of the self and significant others. Studies have shown that an adult’s attachment style is related to his or her attachment history from childhood and subsequent working models about various relationships. An individualistic specific evaluation of one's relationship is related to his or her attachment style (secure, preoccupied, fearful, or dismissive attachment style). Attachment styles may influence both partners’ levels of trust, satisfaction, love, commitment, and other emotions that are characteristically associated with a relationship. The similarity-attraction perspective from …

Interpersonal Forgiveness In Close Relationships: An Attachment Perspective, Linda Susan Krajewski

Theses Digitization Project

Close interpersonal relationships are the foundation of human society. The goal in this study was to investigate the relationships between forgiveness (self and others) and the two dimensions of attachment (anxiety and avoidance).

The Relationship Between Attachment Styles, Interpersonal Trust, And The Marital Attitudes Of College Students, Donalee Brown

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Sexual Orientation, Attachment, And Adult Relationship Quality, Earl Calvin Riggins Iii

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Comparisons were made between 55 heterosexual males, 49 heterosexual females, 56 homosexual males, and 35 homosexual females on measures of attachment, relationship satisfaction and relationship success. Results indicated that adult homosexuals experience greater difficulty than adult heterosexuals in becoming close to others. Individuals endorsing the secure attachment style reported greater relationship satisfaction than individuals endorsing either of the two insecure attachment styles. In addition, females reported greater relationship satisfaction than males. Significantly more individuals endorsing the secure attachment style reported their mothers to have been warm/responsive; significantly more heterosexual males and females than homosexual females reported their mothers to have …

Childhood Maltreatment, Adult Attachment, And Emotional Adjustment, Cynthia Suzanne Nicholson

Theses Digitization Project

Possible relationships between early mistreatment, adult attachment security (Interpersonal functioning), and apprehension and melancholy.