Infidelity and Attachment Styles

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 353-364
Author(s):  
Mr Jirushlan Dorasamy ◽  
J Dorasamy

Literature points to differing responses among women and men regarding sexual and emotional infidelity. Inview of limited research regarding gender responses to infidelity within the context of attachment styles, theresearch study investigated whether there were significant difference in the way women and men responded tosexual and emotional infidelity. It also sought to determine whether attachment styles affected genderdifferences.. The sample population consisted of 300staff employed at a university in South Africa, of which 81were male and 219 were female. The voluntary online monkey survey required respondents to provideinformation focusing on demographics, attachment styles and sexual orientation. Following this, sexual andemotional cases were presented for participants to rate each case. Participants then made a binary choice, ofwhich scenario upset them most.The findings showed that men found sexual infidelity most upsetting, whileemotional infidelity was found most upsetting for women. Further, results indicated that men found sexualinfidelity most upsetting within the fearful and secure attachment style, with scores much higher than women inthe categories of fearful and secure attachment style. On the other hand, women found emotional infidelity mostupsetting within the fearful and secure attachment style, with scores much higher than men in the categories offearful and secure attachment style. However, both men and women found sexual infidelity to be most upsettingwith the preoccupied and dismissive attachment style. The research findings showed that there were differencesin the responses of the male and female gender tosexual and emotional infidelity. This supports the theory ofevolutionary sex differences and provides an opportunity to augment further intense and rigorous debate onevolutionary approaches.In view of these findings, the study proposed greater empirical and theoretical studiesin the area of sexual and emotional infidelity within cultural contexts.

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S632-S633
Author(s):  
S. Hatam ◽  
D. Lea Baranovich

IntroductionMaternal psychopathology can have a server effect on the ability of mothers to attach to their children.AimTo ascertain the level of attachment of adults between the ages of 18–25 years of age who were raised by mothers who suffer from schizophrenic disorders and depressive spectrum disorders, then compared to adults who were raised by mothers with no formal clinical diagnosis.MethodThis study used the Adult Attachment Questioner (AAQ), by Simpson Rholes Philips (1996) to ascertain the level of attachment of adults between the ages of 18–25 years of age who were raised by mothers who suffer from schizophrenic disorders (n = 30) and depressive spectrum disorders (n = 30). The findings of these two groups were then compared to adults who were raised by mothers with no formal clinical diagnosis (n = 30).ResultThe findings indicated that there is a significant difference between adults who were raised by mothers with the aforementioned mental disorders (schizophrenic and depression), as compared to those who were raised by mentally healthy mothers.ConclusionThe style of attachment in adults who were raised by mothers with the aforementioned clinical diagnosis (schizophrenic and depression) have insecure attachments, while the children who were raised by mentally healthy mothers have almost secure attachment style.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


Author(s):  
Ina Grau ◽  
Jörg Doll

Abstract. Employing one correlational and two experimental studies, this paper examines the influence of attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant) on a person’s experience of equity in intimate relationships. While one experimental study employed a priming technique to stimulate the different attachment styles, the other involved vignettes describing fictitious characters with typical attachment styles. As the specific hypotheses about the single equity components have been developed on the basis of the attachment theory, the equity ratio itself and the four equity components (own outcome, own input, partner’s outcome, partner’s input) are analyzed as dependent variables. While partners with a secure attachment style tend to describe their relationship as equitable (i.e., they give and take extensively), partners who feel anxious about their relationship generally see themselves as being in an inequitable, disadvantaged position (i.e., they receive little from their partner). The hypothesis that avoidant partners would feel advantaged as they were less committed was only supported by the correlational study. Against expectations, the results of both experiments indicate that avoidant partners generally see themselves (or see avoidant vignettes) as being treated equitably, but that there is less emotional exchange than is the case with secure partners. Avoidant partners give and take less than secure ones.


Author(s):  
Wina Lova Riza

 This study aims to investigate the association between perceptions of childhood experiences with parents, attachment styles (avoidant, anxious/ambivalent, and security) in romantic relationships, and relationship satisfaction (satisfaction in relationships) with a sample of lecturers and employees of UBP in Karawang who have married or having a romantic relationship. The method used in this study is a regression method with the aim to find out the extent of the influence of one independent variable with the dependent variable. In other words, researchers intend to see the effect of variable attachment styles with relationship satisfaction. The research instrument used was to use two questionnaires with a Likert scale, namely the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire and the relationship assessment scale. From the results of the study using multivariate correlation analysis with the SPSS 24 program, a significant value of 0.009 was obtained with a probability (p) of 0,000; because p <0.05, it indicates a significant relationship with a positive direction between attachment styles and relationship satisfaction. In addition, the following are the results of grouping the results of respondents' attachment style. From a total of 88 respondents, 50 of them (57%) have a fearful attachment style, 17 people (19%) have a dismissing attachment style, 11 people (13%) have a preocupied attachment style, and 10 (11%) have type of secure attachment style.   Keywords: Attachment Styles, Relationship Satisfication, Romantic Relationship  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyelidiki asosiasi antara persepsi pengalaman masa kanak-kanak dengan orang tua, attachment styles (avoidant, anxious/ambivalent, dan security) dalam hubungan romantis, dan relationship satisfacation (kepuasaan dalam hubungan) dengan sampel dosen dan karyawan UBP Karawang yang telah menikah atau sedang menjalani hubungan romantis. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode regresi dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui sejauh mana pengaruh satu variabel indenpenden dengan variabel dependen. Dengan kata lain, peneliti bermaksud untuk melihat pengaruh variabel attachment styles dengan relationship satisfaction. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan adalah dengan menggunakan dua kuesioner dengan skala likert, yaitu kuesioner Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) dan relationship assessment scale. Dari hasil penelitian dengan menggunakan analsis korelasi multivariat dengan program SPSS 24 diperoleh nilai signifikan sebesar 0,009 dengan probabilitas (p) 0,000; karena p < 0,05, maka menunjukkan adanya hubungan yang signifikan dengan arah positif antara attachment styles dengan relationship satisfaction. Sebagai tambahan, berikut dipaparkan hasil pengelompokkan hasil attachment style responden. Dari total 88 preponden, 50 orang diantaranya (57%) memiliki tipe fearful attachment style, 17 orang (19%) memiliki tipe dismissing attachment style, 11 orang (13%) memiliki tipe preocupied attachment style, dan 10 orang (11%) memiliki tipe secure attachment style.   Kata Kunci: Attachment Styles, Relationship Satisfication, Romantic Relationship


Human Affairs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-193
Author(s):  
Filip Sulejmanov ◽  
Klára Seitlová ◽  
Martin Seitl ◽  
Barbora Kasalová

Abstract The aim of this study is to explore the antecedents of studying abroad. First, we explore motivations for and barriers against studying abroad in two groups of students (who had studied abroad, and who had not studied abroad). Second, differences in attachment dimensions and styles are examined in both groups. A deductive thematic analysis supported the thematic structure identified by Krzaklewska (2008) in regard to motivations. Furthermore, five barriers were identified using inductive thematic analysis. Although the same motivational and barrier themes were found in both groups, there were some notable qualitative differences in meaning attached to them. A one-way MANOVA showed non-significant differences between the two groups of students and attachment dimensions. Finnaly, Fisher’s exact test was conducted, and the post hoc comparison showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of students who had studied abroad and had a secure attachment style compared to students who had not studied abroad.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ümit Morsünbül

Pyschology and cinema are fields that benefit each other in order to explain human behavior. Many researchers have been noted that cinema is important tool in order to understand psychological structures. In light of related literature the main aim of the present study is to analyze the Her movie directed by Spike Jonez through Erikson’s intimacy versus isolation stage, Hazan and Shaver’s attachment styles and finally Sternberg’s love types. The sub-question was investigated in addition to the main aim is whether intimacy, attachment and love can be between operating system and human. Document analysis that one of the qualitative research method was used in the present study. An overall evaluation, it can be said thanks to Theodor’s relation with Samantha, Theodor experienced intimacy that Erikson was defined, he attached with secure attachment style that Hazan and Shaver defined to Samantha and finally according to Stenberg’s love types romantic love was experienced between couple. When we look answer of sub-question of the present study Her movie indicates that human can be intimate with operating system, experience attachment and fall in love. ÖzetPsikoloji ve sinema insan davranışlarını açıklamak amacıyla birbirinden yararlanan iki alandır. Sinemanın psikolojik yapıları anlamak açısından önemli bir araç olduğu pek çok araştırmacı tarafından belirtilmiştir.  İlgili literatür ışığında bu çalışmanın temel amacı yönetmenliği Spike Jonze’un yaptığı Aşk (Her) filminin Erikson’un yakınlığa karşı yalıtılmışlık evresi, Hazan  ve  Shaver’in bağlanma stilleri ve son olarak da Sternberg’in aşk türleri temelinde analiz edilmesidir. Bu temel amaca ek olarak incelen bir alt soru da sesten ibaret olan bir işletim sistemiyle bir insanın arasında yakınlık, bağlanma ve aşk olup olamayacağıdır.  Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden biri olan döküman incelemesi kullanılmıştır. Genel olarak değerlendirildiğinde Theodor’un Samantha ile ilişkisi sayesinde Erikson’un tanımladığı yakınlığı deneyimlediği, bağlanma stilleri açısından ise Theodor’un Samantha’ya Hazan ve Shaver’ın tanımladığı güvenli bağlanma örüntüsüyle bağlandığı ve son olarak da Sternberg’in aşk türleri açısından ikilinin arasında romantik aşkın yaşandığı söylenebilir. Çalışmanın alt sorusunun yanıtına baktığımızda Aşk filmi insanın işletim sistemiyle yakın olabileceğini, ona bağlanabileceğini ve aşık olabileceğini göstermektedir.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S15-S15
Author(s):  
Philippa Clery ◽  
Angela Rowe ◽  
Marcus Munafò ◽  
Liam Mahedy

AimsIdentifying factors that contribute to mental health difficulties in young people as early in life as possible are needed to inform prevention strategies. One area of interest is attachment. Although existing research has suggested an association between insecure attachment styles and mental health difficulties, these studies often have small sample sizes, use cross-sectional designs, and measure attachment as a discrete variable at a single point or use romantic relationship attachment as a proxy for childhood attachment. It is also unclear whether these associations persist into late adolescence. In this large prospective study we aimed to determine whether an insecure attachment style measured at repeated points in early childhood, is associated with depression and self-harm at 18 years.MethodWe used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort. Mothers completed attachment related questionnaires when their child was 18, 30, and 42 months old. Offspring depression and lifetime self-harm was assessed at 18 years in clinic using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised. Attachment was derived as a continuous latent variable in a structural equation modelling framework. Logistic regression was performed on participants with complete attachment data (n = 7032) to examine the association between attachment style and depression and self-harm, with adjustment for potential confounders. Differential dropout was accounted for using multiple imputation.ResultWe found some evidence for an association between a more insecure attachment style in childhood, and a diagnosis of depression and life-time self-harm at age 18. In the fully adjusted imputed model, a one standard deviation increase in insecure attachment was associated with a 13% increase in the odds of depression (OR = 1.13; 95%CI = 1.00 to 1.27) and a 14% increase in the odds of self-harm at age 18 (OR = 1.14; 95%CI = 1.02 to 1.25), for children who had more insecure attachment in early childhood, compared with children who had more secure attachment.ConclusionThis is the largest longitudinal study to examine the prospective association between childhood attachment and depression and self-harm in late adolescence. Our findings strengthen the evidence suggesting that a childhood insecure attachment style is associated with mental health difficulties in late adolescence. Policies and interventions to support parenting behaviours that foster the development of secure attachment styles, or attachment-based therapies to improve attachment quality, could help reduce depression and self-harm in adolescence/young adulthood.Philippa Clery is supported by the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research at the University of Bristol and the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S162-S162
Author(s):  
F. De Riso ◽  
R. Giugliano ◽  
A.M. Monteleone ◽  
M. Nigro ◽  
F. Pellegrino ◽  
...  

IntroductionEarly life experiences can influence hypotalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation and adult attachment styles. Furthermore, several studies showed that in patients with eating disorders (EDs) there is a prevalence of insecure attachment. However, the relationship between adult attachment style, HPA axis functioning and onset of EDs is largely unknown.Objectives and aimsIn order to evaluate possible associations between attachment styles and HPA axis functioning in EDs, we investigated Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) in ED patients with different attachment styles.MethodsTwenty adult patients with EDs were classified in three groups, according to the Experience in Close Relationship questionnaire (6 with secure attachment, 6 with anxious attachment and 8 with avoidant attachment). Saliva samples were collected at awakening and 15, 30 and 60 minutes after.ResultsThere was a significant difference among the groups in both awakening and post-awakening cortisol concentrations. In particular, compared to secure and avoidant groups, the anxious group exhibited lower cortisol concentrations at awakening and post-awakening with a preservation of the timing of the CAR.DiscussionPresent findings demonstrate that anxious attachment style is linked to flattened CAR in EDs. This pattern has been associated with other psychiatric disorders. Therefore, attachment style could influence the HPA functioning and it could play, although not specifically, a role in pathophysiology of EDs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S551-S552 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Monaco ◽  
A.M. Monteleone ◽  
F. Pellegrino ◽  
V. Ruzzi ◽  
G. Fico ◽  
...  

IntroductionAttachment theory suggests that different attachment styles influence the development of individual's self-esteem and modulate the individual's ability to manage stressful events by responding with adequate affective adjustment. High levels of insecure attachment are present in adults with Eating Disorders (EDs).ObjectivesThe variables that mediate the association between attachment style and EDs have not been investigated enough. The possibility exists that the endogenous stress response system is involved.AimsTo appraise the role of the endogenous stress response system, we studied the effect of attachment styles on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in ED patients.MethodsFifty- two women with EDs and 25 healthy women completed the ECR questionnaire to assess their attachment style. Saliva samples were taken in the morning to measure the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). Moreover, the saliva cortisol response to the Trier-Social-Stress-Test (TSST) was measured in 30 ED patients and 15 healthy controls.ResultsPatients with avoidant attachment showed an increased CAR compared to both healthy controls and to patients with anxious and secure attachment styles. In the initial TSST phase, cortisol levels decreased in the secure attachment group but not in patients with avoidant attachment. In the TSST stress response phase, the cortisol raise was higher in insecure patients and delayed in avoidant ones.ConclusionsIn adults with EDs, attachment styles affect the HPA axis functioning and this could have a role in the pathophysiology of EDs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1353-1361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehud Bodner ◽  
Sara Cohen-Fridel

ABSTRACTBackground: This study is the first to explore the relations between attachment styles, ageism, and quality of life (QoL) among elderly people. The attachment theory describes how human beings relate to each other, according to their attachment style. Previous studies have examined the connection between attachment styles and prejudice toward distinctive social groups and minorities. Ageism as a form of prejudice is a way of relating negatively to people because they are old. QoL among the elderly was found to be associated with negative age-perceptions. It was therefore hypothesized that QoL, attachments styles, and demographic characteristics can explain ageism among the elderly.Methods: Four questionnaires were administered: Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA), which comprises four scales (separation, affective, stereotype, and intergeneration); Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, which measures four attachment styles (secure, dismissive, fearful, and preoccupied); SF-36 health status inventory (eight scales); and sociodemographic questions. Ninety-four elderly men and women aged 64–85 years living in the community completed the questionnaires.Results: MANCOVAS indicated that securely attached individuals score higher on separation than fearfully attached individuals, and that securely and dismissively attached individuals score higher than fearful and preoccupied individuals on seven QoL scales. Multiple regression analyses showed that attachment styles, age, gender, and some QoL scales contribute to the explained variance of ageism.Conclusions: Secure attachment in late life seems to be related to less ageism and a better QoL. The enhancement of a secure attachment base in elderly people may assist in moderating ageism and improving older people's QoL.


Author(s):  
Ahmad Al- Shraifin

The study aimed to explore the causal relationships between supervising working alliance, counseling self-esteem and attachment styles through a causal model adopting a path analysis method. The study sample consisted of 289 counseling students at Yarmouk University. Three scales were administered to measure the supervising working alliance, self-esteem and attachment styles.  Results showed a direct relationship between avoidant attachment styles and supervising working alliance, and an indirect relationship with counseling self-esteem. There was a direct relationship between secure attachment style, supervising working alliance and counseling self-esteem; and between supervising working alliance and counseling self-esteem.  In addition, direct and indirect relationships were evident between avoidant attachment style and special relationship domain of supervising working alliance and counseling self-esteem; whereas it affected client focus domain with a direct relationship. Direct relationships also were evident between secure attachment styles, the relationship domain and self-focus domain.  


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