Attachment styles, coping strategies, personal meaning, and mental health in nonclinical adults
- Authors: Gerber, Ora
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Attachment behavior -- South Africa , Mental illness -- South Africa Psychology, Applied
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30485 , vital:30950
- Description: Meaning in life can be attained through a variety of sources. A limited amount of research has investigated the association between attachment and personal meaning while no studies have investigated the association between attachment, personal meaning, and sources of meaning. The current study aimed to investigate the association between different attachment styles, personal meaning, and sources of meaning in order to develop a deeper understanding of their relationships. A quantitative exploratory-descriptive design was used to collect the data using standardized questionnaires from 226 participants. Statistical analysis of the data suggests that a secure attachment style is positively associated with personal meaning and presented with meaning sources consisting of breadth and depth. A fearful attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and sources of meaning while a preoccupied attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and presented with sources of meaning lacking in depth and breadth. No significant association was found between a dismissive attachment style and personal meaning, but associations were found with sources of meaning, including feeling financially secure, experiencing personal growth, meeting basic everyday needs, and leaving a legacy for the next generation. Recommendations for psychotherapy based on the findings of the study were offered.
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- Date Issued: 2019
An exploration of father-child relationships, current attachment styles and self-esteem amongst adults
- Authors: Williams, Clare Marianne
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Attachment behavior -- South Africa , Attachment behavior in children -- South Africa , Father and child -- South Africa , Self-esteem in men -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9855 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/398 , Attachment behavior -- South Africa , Attachment behavior in children -- South Africa , Father and child -- South Africa , Self-esteem in men -- South Africa
- Description: This study explored and described the relationship between early attachment to the father figure and self-esteem and current adult attachment style. Specifically, the present study explored and described the impact of the internal working model of early paternal attachment upon adult attachment styles and levels of self-esteem. The data for this study was obtained by utilizing the following four questionnaires: The Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) Part 2 as a retrospective measure, the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) and Battle’s Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory (CFSEI). An exploratory descriptive design using a non-probability, convenience sampling method was employed for the present study. A sample of 105 adult participants from a religious institution within Port Elizabeth was selected. Participants, including both males and females, representative of all cultures and socio-economic status, were interviewed using the above self-report measures. The data for this study was analyzed using descriptive and correlational and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that the majority of the sample had a preoccupied attachment style, with Intermediate self-esteem levels.
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- Date Issued: 2006