Date of Graduation
2002
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
This study used a total of 243 undergraduate students to examine differences in attachment style and personality. The Hazan and Shaver (1987) attachment measure and the Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew and Horowitz, 1991) were used to discern attachment type. The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire-155 (Patrick, Curtin, & Tellegan, 2000) and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, Second Edition (Fritts & Warren, 1996) were used to identify global personality variables. Findings revealed that the two attachment measures are highly related, and positive correlations were found between the global personality constructs of Positive Emotionality, Constraint, and Total Self-concept. The constructs of Negative Emotionality and Conflict were also associated in a positive direction. Inverse relationships were found between Negative Emotionality Positive Emotionality and Total Self-Concept. Gender and its discrimination by the attachment type measures were explored. To address the main purpose of this paper, discriminant function analyses were performed for each attachment measure to discern global personality variables. Results illustrate global personality differences by attachment type. Secure attachment types were found to have higher Total Self-Concept and Positive Emotionality and lower Negative Emotionality and Constraint. All of the insecure attachment types were located around Negative Emotionality, except Dismissing-Avoidant. This finding and others that differentiate the insecure attachment types are examined. Clinical applications and the use of therapeutic modalities are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Fox, Daniel Joseph, "Attachment, gender, and personality: An exploration into the affective components of adult attachment in a non-clinical sample." (2002). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 8867.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/8867