Adult attachment styles and the organization of behavioral strategies in threatening conditions

A fundamental principle of attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969/1982, 1973, 1980) is that people regulate distress in threatening situations by seeking proximity to others. The current research examines the way in which attachment styles predict individual differences in behavioral strategies in threatening contexts. Study 1 (N = 179) explores the extent to which attachment-related behaviors manifest in a naturalistic and frightening setting. Study 2 (N = 206 couples) tests alternative perspectives on how attachment behavior is regulated in threatening and non-threatening situations. Results suggest that avoidant people engage in deactivating strategies in threatening conditions. Specifically, avoidance was unrelated to attachment behavior in benign situations, but negatively related to attachment behavior in frightening situations. These findings have implications for the understanding of attachment-related processes and how working models of the self and others facilitate the expression of attachment behavior.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Chong, Jia

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fraley, R. Chris
• Roberts, Brent W.

• Adult attachment
• attachment behavior
• threatening conditions

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2019 Jia Chong

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/104727

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/104727