An Empirical Test of a Model of the Impact of Attachment Style on Depressive Symptoms, Conflict Resolution, and Marital Quality
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AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF A MODEL OF THE IMPACT OF ATTACHMENT STYLE ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND MARITAL QUALITY DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Matthew D. Dawson, M.S. * * * * * The Ohio State University 2001 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Julianne M. Serovich, Advisor Professor Ellen Hock ________________________ Advisor Professor James Lantz Human Ecology ABSTRACT Attachment theory has been used to explain various phenomena in adult relationships. It has been found to influence conflict resolution style, depressive symptoms, and marital quality. Many studies have explored the relationships between these variables. Most of these studies look at these variables in isolation. The present study represents the first attempt to empirically validate a model of the combined relationship of attachment on depressive symptoms, conflict resolution style, and marital quality using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Data from 65 married couples were used to test the fit of the model to the data. A moderate fit was found, and results from previous studies were supported. Implications for clinicians and future research are discussed. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge and express appreciation to my adviser, Julianne Serovich, Ph.D., for her constant support throughout my doctoral program, especially during this process. She has been an encouraging mentor who has taught me much both in and out of the classroom. I am very grateful for her encouragement, prodding, and guidance throughout this project and helping me find direction in the therapy room. I would also like to acknowledge the thoughtful contributions and support of my dissertation committee members including: Ellen Hock, Ph.D., and James Lantz, Ph.D. In addition, I would like to thank all of the couples who agreed to participate in this study. Finally, I would like to thank my family, especially my wife, who has helped keep me on track throughout. Her strength and encouragement made it easier for me to find new direction when things seemed to be falling apart with this project. She has been and continues to be an inspiration to me. iii VITA 1993…………………………………………Bachelor of Arts: Psychology Yale University New Haven, CT USA 1997…………………………………………Master of Science: Human Development and Family Science University of Georgia Athens, GA USA March 4, 2000……………………………….Granted Doctoral Candidacy The Ohio State University Columbus, OH USA 1997-2001…………………………………...Graduate Research Assistant The Ohio State University Columbus, OH USA 2001-2002…………………………………...Family Systems and Health Fellow Chicago Center for Family Health Chicago, IL USA PUBLICATIONS Dawson, M., & Brucker, P. S. (2001). The utility of the Delphi Method in MFT research. American Journal of Family Therapy, 29, 125 – 140. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Human Ecology Human Development and Family Science Graduate Program Cognate: Program Evaluation and Development Education Policy and Leadership v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................iii VITA................................................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................................viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER 1 .......................................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 Historical Context of Attachment Theory................................................................... 2 Attachment “Styles”................................................................................................ 3 Research on Adult Relationships................................................................................ 5 Research Objectives and Hypotheses ......................................................................... 8 Objective 1.............................................................................................................. 8 Objective 2.............................................................................................................. 9 Objective 3.............................................................................................................. 9 CHAPTER 2 ..................................................................................................................... 11 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................. 11 Attachment Theory ................................................................................................... 11 Overall Concepts................................................................................................... 11 Internal Working Models (IWM)...................................................................... 14 Attachment styles.............................................................................................. 20 Measurement issues .......................................................................................... 22 Secure adult attachment .................................................................................... 27 Insecure Attachment Styles............................................................................... 28 Preoccupied................................................................................................... 29 Fearful........................................................................................................... 30 Dismissing..................................................................................................... 30 Adult attachment vs. Infant Attachment ............................................................... 31 Adult Relationships and Attachment theory......................................................... 32 Attachment and marital quality............................................................................. 34 Attachment and conflict resolution....................................................................... 37 Attachment and depressive symptoms.................................................................. 40 Rationale for the present study ................................................................................. 41 Presentation of the model.......................................................................................... 42 METHODS ................................................................................................................... 45 Procedures................................................................................................................. 45 Participants............................................................................................................ 46 Instruments............................................................................................................ 46 Data Analysis of Specific Research Objectives........................................................ 50 vi Research Objective 1 ............................................................................................ 50 Research Objective 2 ............................................................................................ 51 Research Objective 3 ............................................................................................ 51 CHAPTER 4 ..................................................................................................................... 53 RESULTS ..................................................................................................................... 53 Data Analysis of Specific Research Question and Hypotheses................................ 53 Objective 1............................................................................................................ 53 Objective 2............................................................................................................ 58 Objective 3............................................................................................................ 61 CHAPTER 5 ..................................................................................................................... 69 DISCUSSION............................................................................................................... 69 Summary and integration of results .......................................................................... 69 Objective 1............................................................................................................ 70 Objective 2............................................................................................................ 72 Objective 3............................................................................................................ 74 Implications of findings ............................................................................................ 76 Theoretical implications.......................................................................................