Adult Attachment, Anger Regulation and Aggression
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ADULT ATTACHMENT, ANGER REGULATION AND AGGRESSION: INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN THE EXPERIENCE AND EXPRESSION OF ANGER ZARA BRODIE A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy QUEEN MARGARET UNIVERSITY December, 2016. Abstract Attachment theory has increasingly been applied to the understanding of individual differences in emotion regulation, however application of the attachment framework to anger is underspecified. The present thesis describes three studies reporting relationships between attachment insecurity and anger expression, taking into account attachment-related differences in anger regulation. Using multiple regression analyses, the results of Study 1a indicated that attachment anxiety was a significant independent predictor of trait anger, while attachment avoidance and self-esteem were not. Study 1b extended these findings by examining whether the use of specific anger regulation strategies mediated the relationship between attachment insecurity and dispositional aggression (physical aggression, verbal aggression and hostility). Attachment anxiety was indirectly related to physical aggression and hostility, through the use of maladaptive regulation techniques and a lack of anger control; while attachment avoidance had an indirect relationship with hostility through anger suppression. Study 2 utilised an anger induction procedure to investigate the relationship between attachment insecurity, self- reported and physiological responses, and subsequent aggressive behaviour. Neither attachment dimension was significantly associated with physiological reactivity to the anger induction, however attachment avoidance was negatively associated with changes in self-reported anger. Attachment avoidance was once again a significant predictor of anger suppression, while attachment anxiety significantly predicted variance in aggression. Overall, the findings indicate that attachment anxiety is a predictor of dispositional anger and aggression, whilst attachment avoidance predicts the use of suppression to regulate anger, reduced self-reported anger responsivity and increased hostility. Implications for both theory and practice are discussed with suggestions for attachment and emotion regulation-based anger management interventions. Keywords: Attachment, Anger Regulation, Suppression, Aggression, Hostility i Acknowledgements Embarking on a PhD was perhaps the best decision I’ve ever made, and I’ve loved (almost) every second of the past three years. As it comes to an end, I’d like to thank the people without whom this thesis would not exist (or without whom I would not have survived it). Firstly, of course, I would like to thank all of the participants who took part in my studies, whose time and enthusiasm made this work possible. My warmest thanks go out to my wonderful QMU support network; Clare, Jamal, Melissa, Elle, Briony, Miriam, Julie and Anna. Thank you all for your words of encouragement, which always came at just the right time, and for never letting me feel alone in this! I extend my deepest gratitude to my supervisory team, who I really hit the jackpot with. First of all, Dr Karen Goodall; who has both mocked and inspired me in equal measure over the course of this thesis. Your seemingly endless knowledge and perfectionistic approach to research have helped make me the researcher I am today. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with you over the past three years, and I intend to spend the rest of my career continuing to do so. Thank you for your friendship and tireless support, I would not be here without you. I would also like to thank Dr Steve Darling and Prof. Chris McVittie, whose wisdom and encouragement have helped me believe this just might be possible; Thank you for never being more than an email away. And last, but most certainly not least, I would like to dedicate this thesis to my family, who have always encouraged me to challenge myself (and this has certainly been a challenge). Mum and Dad, I’m endlessly grateful to you for providing the secure base I needed to take on this mammoth task; and Mark, you have provided ii unwavering sanity and confidence at times throughout this process where I’ve found myself with neither. I would not have made it here without your patience, love and support. I promise I’ll have more time to help with the housework from now on! iii Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................ii Contents ................................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ vi List of Figures ......................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2. Literature Review ................................................................................................ 19 2.1 Attachment in Adulthood ........................................................................................... 19 2.2. Emotion and Emotion Regulation.............................................................................. 43 2.3. Attachment-related Differences in the Experience and Expression of Anger ........... 85 2.4. The Relevance of Self-Esteem ................................................................................. 114 2.5. The Present Thesis ................................................................................................... 126 Chapter 3. Study 1a: Adult attachment, self-esteem and dispositional anger ................. 129 3.1 Introduction Study 1a ............................................................................................... 129 3.2 Method Study 1a ...................................................................................................... 131 3.3 Results Study 1a ........................................................................................................ 136 3.4 Discussion Study 1a .................................................................................................. 146 3.5 Conclusion Study 1a.................................................................................................. 155 Chapter 4. Study 1b: Adult attachment and dispositional aggression: The mediating role of anger regulation processes ............................................................................................. 156 4.1 Introduction Study 1b ............................................................................................... 157 4.2 Method Study 1b ...................................................................................................... 160 4.3 Results Study 1b ....................................................................................................... 166 4.4 Discussion Study 1b .................................................................................................. 183 4.5 Conclusion Study 1b ................................................................................................. 189 Chapter 5. Study 2: Attachment-related reactivity and responsivity to an anger induction ............................................................................................................................................. 191 5.1 Introduction Study 2 ................................................................................................. 191 5.2 Pilot Study: Investigating the efficacy of a feedback-based interpersonal insult approach to an anger induction; impact on physiological arousal and self-report anger... 200 5.3 Methodology Pilot Study .......................................................................................... 201 5.4 Results Pilot Study .................................................................................................... 208 5.5 Conclusion Pilot Study .............................................................................................. 209 iv 5.6 Study 2: Attachment-related reactivity and responsivity to an anger induction ..... 211 5.7 Method Study 2 ........................................................................................................ 212 5.8 Results Study 2 ......................................................................................................... 222 5.9 Discussion Study 2 .................................................................................................... 237 5.10 Conclusion Study 2 ................................................................................................. 247 Chapter 6. General discussion ............................................................................................ 249 6.1 Key findings and their implications .......................................................................... 254 6.2 Limitations and future directions ............................................................................. 275 6.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 281 References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………