Avoidant attachment style predicts less positive evaluations of warm (but not cold) social groups

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Santascoy ◽  
Sara E. Burke ◽  
John F. Dovidio
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
White People ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Stereotype Content ◽  
Favorable Evaluation

Two studies investigated the hypothesis that because individuals who are high on attachment avoidance tend to be disinterested in warmth in interpersonal relationships, they may respond less favorably to groups perceived as warm, attenuating the generally positive association between perceived warmth and favorable evaluation of a group. In Study 1, participants responded to groups representing the four quadrants based on warmth and competence identified by the stereotype content model (e.g., White people, homeless people). On average, people evaluated groups higher in stereotypical warmth more positively. However, as predicted, this effect was significantly weaker among participants higher in attachment avoidance. No effect was found for attachment anxiety. Study 2, in which the perceived warmth of a fictitious group was experimentally manipulated, conceptually replicated the effect for attachment avoidance. Understanding how attachment avoidance may attenuate favorable attitudes toward socially warm groups can help illuminate broader processes of intergroup relations.

scholarly journals Machiavellianism and Adult Attachment in General Interpersonal Relationships and Close Relationships

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Ináncsi ◽  
András Láng ◽  
Tamás Bereczkei
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Distance Regulation ◽  
The Relationship

Up to the present, the relationship between Machiavellianism and adult attachment has remained a question to be answered in the psychological literature. That is why this study focused on the relationship between Machiavellianism and attachment towards significant others in general interpersonal relationships and in intimate-close relationships. Two attachment tests (Relationship Questionnaire and long-form of Experiences in Close Relationship) and the Mach-IV test were conducted on a sample consisting of 185 subjects. Results have revealed that Machiavellian subjects show a dismissing-avoidant attachment style in their general interpersonal relationships, while avoidance is further accompanied by some characteristics of attachment anxiety in their intimate-close relationships. Our findings further refine the relationship between Machiavellianism and dismissing-avoidant attachment. Machiavellian individuals not only have a negative representation of significant others, but they also tend to seek symbiotic closeness in order to exploit their partners. This ambitendency in distance regulation might be particularly important in understanding the vulnerability of Machiavellian individuals.

Exploring Insecure Romantic Attachment and Justifications for the Use of Intimate Partner Psychological Aggression in Couples

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110551
Author(s):  
Marie-Eve Leclerc ◽  
Marie-France Lafontaine ◽  
Audrey Brassard ◽  
Katherine Péloquin
Keyword(s):  
Community Sample ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
And Function

The attachment theory has commonly been used to examine intimate partner psychological aggression (IPPA), but few studies have examined its association with self-reported justifications for one’s own use of IPPA. Behaviors, including the use of IPPA, are influenced, maintained, and function within the context of their justifications, highlighting the importance of investigating these justifications to obtain a clearer picture of IPPA. This study examined whether insecure romantic attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) in both partners of a couple was associated with their justifications for their own use of IPPA. A community sample of 81 mixed-sex couples who reported using IPPA in the last year completed self-reported questionnaires on adult romantic attachment and their justifications for their use of IPPA. Results of a path analysis based on the actor-partner interdependence model revealed moderate positive associations between attachment anxiety and one’s use of internal and external justifications for their IPPA perpetration in men and women. An unexpected dyadic positive association is discussed. These results suggest that the use of justifications for one’s use of IPPA may reflect a strategy of hyperactivation that could contribute to the cycle of psychological aggression. Uncovering the function of these justifications could provide important therapeutic benefits, which are discussed in the study’s implications.

Effect of Attachment Style on Selective Attention in Panic Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-560
Author(s):  
Ottilia Klipsch ◽  
Henning Schauenburg ◽  
Christoph Nikendei ◽  
Cord Benecke ◽  
Ulrike Dinger
Keyword(s):  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Attentional Bias ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Interpersonal Threat

Introduction: Given the heterogeneity of results in the attentional bias to threatening information in patients with panic disorder, we investigated the attentional bias toward threat and the moderating effect of attachment styles in a female-only sample of panic patients and a nonclinical control group. Methods: Female panic patients (n = 47) were compared to a female control group (n = 47) using a modified Dot Probe Task with body-related and interpersonal threat as well as attachment positive words. Results: An attentional bias toward threat words was not replicated. Furthermore, there was no moderation effect on attentional bias by attachment styles. However, high attachment avoidance was associated with faster reaction times (RT) in attachment positive compared to attachment threat trials in both groups. In the patient group, attachment anxiety was associated with faster RT in panic threat trials compared to attachment positive trials. Anxiously attached controls reacted faster to attachment positive vs. attachment threat trials. Discussion: No attentional bias was found in the present study. However, the findings suggest that attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety differently influence attention responses to trials that include different emotional stimuli in clinical and nonclinical, female participants. Attachment insecurity may modify attention when processing trials including both, threat and positive stimuli.

scholarly journals Interrelation of Attachment and Coping Behavior In Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-43
Author(s):  
E.V. Kuftyak
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Coping Behavior ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Vigorous Activity ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
And Coping

Attachment as the ability to form long-term close relationships provides protection and support at all ages, frees from anxiety and tension, and directly affects well-being and health. This study explored the relations between attachment and coping styles and hardiness in adults. The participants — 127 adults aged 18—77 — filled out the Relationships Questionnaire (Bartholomew, Horowitz, 1998), Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire (Fraley, Waller, Brennan, 2000), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (Endler, Parker, 1990), and Hardiness Survey (Leontiev, Rasskazova, 2006; based on Maddi’s Personal Views Survey). The results showed that securely attached adults used coping aimed at problem solving and avoiding anxious thoughts less frequently. Fearful attachment style was related to the reduction of effort to change the situation, it increased the feeling of helplessness and disregard of vigorous activity. As for individuals with avoidant attachment anxiety they experienced in close relationships increased the feelings of rejection and the disposition to security.

scholarly journals Attachment-related differences in dispositional anger and its experience and expression following an insult-based anger induction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zara Brodie ◽  
Karen Goodall ◽  
Stephen Darling ◽  
Chris McVittie
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Trait Anger ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Significant Independent Predictor ◽  
Anger Suppression ◽  
Taylor Aggression Paradigm ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

Variation in how individuals experience and express anger has been linked to their attachment style, particularly in close interpersonal contexts. However, little research has investigated attachment-related differences in anger and aggression in non-relational settings. This multi-method investigation reports two studies. The first investigated associations between adult attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) in 270 participants. The second describes a lab-based anger provocation task, based on a modified version of the Taylor Aggression Paradigm, which examined associations between attachment dimensions and pre-post test change in self-reported anger, physiological responses, anger suppression and aggressive responding (N = 77). Results from study 1 indicate that attachment anxiety was a significant independent predictor of trait anger, while attachment avoidance was not. There were no significant interaction effects, suggesting distinct effects of attachment dimensions on anger. In study 2, attachment avoidance was negatively related to anger change scores from baseline to post-provocation and positively to anger suppression (measured by the discrepancy between self-report and physiological measures). Attachment anxiety was positively associated with aggressive responding. In summary, the findings support the high arousal-low control style previously associated with attachment anxiety, evidenced by elevated trait anger and higher aggressive responding. They also align with previous studies that support an association between attachment avoidance and emotion suppression, suggesting that the attachment framework can be usefully extended to understand anger and aggression in non-relational contexts.

A Study Evaluating Mindfulness and Naikan-Based Therapy: AEON-HO for Attachment Style, Self-Actualization, and Depression

2018 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-251
Author(s):  
Chieko Fujisaki
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Depressive State ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Self Actualization

AEON-HO (Altering emotional organization-holistic operation) contains methods of Naikan therapy and mindfulness. Naikan and mindfulness are originally from Buddhism tradition, and they have a high affinity. AEON-HO was conceptualized to improve attachment issues and the growth of self-actualization, because Naikan and mindfulness are known to be effective for attachment issues but partially if they are used independently. Naikan can approach to attachment avoidance, while mindfulness can approach to attachment anxiety. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of AEON-HO on attachment styles, self-actualization, and depression by using “attachment style scale the Experiences in Close Relationships inventory–the generalized–other–version (ECR-GO),” “self-actualization scale” translated to Japanese, and “center for epidemiologic studies for depression scale.” Participants have taken these three psychological questionnaires before and after the eight-week program of AEON-HO, and the results of scales were compared. Participants were 36 adults with a mean age of 49 years ( SD = 3.9). Changes in two attachment styles, anxiety and avoidance and depressive state, were observed between pre- and posttest, while there were no significant changes in self-actualization. However, attachment anxiety and self-actualization were correlated negatively in pre- and posttest, while attachment avoidance and self-actualization were correlated negatively only in pretest.

Women's Adult Romantic Attachment Style and Communication by Cell Phone with Romantic Partners

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Weisskirch
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Romantic Partner ◽  
Attachment Avoidance

Cell phones have become important communication media for individuals in romantic relationships. The frequency of and methods used for communication may vary by adults' style of romantic attachment. Female university students ( N = 31) currently in romantic relationships responded to a questionnaire. They estimated the frequency of calls and text messages received from and made to their romantic partners and completed the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised instrument, a measure of attachment anxiety and avoidance. Also, the participants reviewed their cell phones' memories and provided accurate frequency of communication to and from the romantic partner. Attachment anxiety was associated with more estimated text messages sent to and received from the romantic partners and actual text messages sent to and received from the romantic partners. Attachment avoidance was associated ( r = −.38) with fewer estimated calls made to the romantic partners and fewer actual calls made to the romantic partners ( r = −.34).

Attachment and Severity of Grief: The Mediating Role of Negative Appraisal and Inflexible Coping

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Delespaux ◽  
Anne-Sophie Ryckebosch-Dayez ◽  
Alexandre Heeren ◽  
Emmanuelle Zech
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Dual Process ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Negative Appraisal ◽  
Oscillation Process ◽  
Grief Reactions

According to the Dual Process Model of coping with bereavement (DPM; Stroebe & Schut, 1999), adjustment to bereavement involves a flexible oscillation between two types of coping strategies: loss-oriented (LO) and restoration-oriented (RO). This model postulates that extremely anxious or avoidant attachment disturbs the oscillation process by focusing more on one type of strategy, either LO or RO. The present study examined this assumption. We recruited 321 bereaved individuals who had lost a romantic partner. Our results showed that less negative appraisal of bereavement-related stressors, as well as higher use of RO strategies, mediated the link between attachment avoidance and low severity of grief reactions. However, the DPM variables were not found to mediate the link between attachment anxiety and elevated grief reactions. We discuss how these results provide an empirical basis of the DPM.

Forgiveness and Attachment: A Link that Survives the Grave?

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Gassin ◽  
Gregory J. Lengel
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Deceased Person ◽  
Reliable Predictor ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

The current project consists of two studies assessing the relationship between two attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) and forgiveness in the context of bereavement. Using these two dimensions, the authors explore whether or not general attachment style and attachment to a deceased person in particular predict the degree to which one will forgive that individual. While most previous studies of extending forgiveness to living individuals suggest attachment anxiety is a more robust predictor of forgiveness, the current studies point to attachment avoidance as a more reliable predictor. The authors consider developmental and cultural factors in explaining the results and note implications for pastors and therapists.

Avoidant Attachment as a Panacea against Collective Mortality Concerns: A Cross-Cultural Comparison between Individualist and Collectivist Cultures

2021 ◽  
pp. 002202212110050
Author(s):  
Nicholas Plusnin ◽  
Emiko S. Kashima ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Ben C. P. Lam ◽  
Shihui Han
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Cultural Comparison ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Cross Cultural Comparison ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Collectivist Cultures

Despite the universality of cultural worldviews and self-esteem in providing people with general protection against death anxiety, recent empirical and anecdotal evidence suggests that death anxiety is more pronounced in East-Asian collectivist cultures than in Western individualist cultures. We propose that collectivists are encumbered by the additive concerns for the mortal well-being of close others in addition to their own, whereas individualists are primarily concerned with their own mortality, which would explain the reported differential death anxiety between cultures. Focusing on individual differences in attachment avoidance, we predicted that avoidant collectivists, with disinterest in interpersonal relationships and staunch independence despite living in a collectivist culture, would report less death anxiety on par with enculturated individualists. Results from our study support the contention that elevated levels of death anxiety among collectivists are explained by their cultural predilection toward interdependence, which attachment avoidance undermines, thus leading to reduced death anxiety.

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