God Attachment, Romantic Attachment, and Relationship Satisfaction in A

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God Attachment, Romantic Attachment, and Relationship Satisfaction in A i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would first like to thank each of the members of my dissertation committee for their hard work and dedication to seeing me through to the end. First and foremost to my chair, Dr. Gary Sibcy, I am forever grateful for your time, energy, and investment throughout my entire doctoral program. You have challenged me to be professionally competent, academically excellent, personally tenacious, and to settle for nothing less than high quality work. The same goes for Dr. Fred Milacci; thank you for modeling a life of personal and professional excellence and balance and sharing it with me. We have been through some ups and downs together and you have always been there to speak truth in love. The dissertation was no exception. I am also grateful for the support of Dr. Scott Hawkins. Your persistence on staying focused was a huge encouragement through the entire dissertation. To Dr. Kevin Corsini, thanks for blazing the trail and supporting me along the way. Your defense became one of my biggest motivators to finish. I also want to thank all those who have personally supported me throughout my entire dissertation. To Dr. Tim Clinton, your friendship, mentorship, and commitment to me through the years are priceless. No words can describe how eternally grateful I am for the opportunities you have and continue to afford me. Thank you for all your help throughout the dissertation process. Christian counseling would not have near the influence it has if it were not for you. To the counseling professors at Liberty University who have placed a stamp on my life either academically and/or personally along the way: Dr. David Appleby, Dr. Ron Hawkins, Dr. Victor Hinson, Dr. David Jenkins, Dr. John Thomas, and Dr. Ken Reeves. You and I both know the unique roles you have each played in my life. Finally to Dr. Eric Scalise, thank you for your personal time and ii investment to making sure I was adequately prepared academically and spiritually for the defense. I owe you lunch. Ultimately, I would not be at this point in my academic career if it were not for the unconditional love and support of my parents. Your constant prodding to get this dissertation finished had me wondering who wanted it more. ☺ And to Christi, thank you for your patience and unwavering prayers. You have been an enormous encouragement to me. I am thrilled about the days ahead! Finally, I want to thank God for His provision and plan for my life. I would not be surprised if His intent all along was to use the dissertation as a reason for me to go to Him in prayer. If that was His intent, it worked. iii ABSTRACT GOD ATTACHMENT, ROMANTIC ATTACHMENT, AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION IN A SAMPLE OF EVANGELICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS Joshua D. Straub Center for Counseling and Family Studies Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling The current study sought to answer the following research questions: First, does God Attachment account for unique variance in Relationship Satisfaction after controlling for Romantic Attachment? Second, what is the complex relationship between these two sets of variables (God Anxiety and God Avoidance and Romantic Anxiety and Romantic Avoidance) and Relationship Satisfaction? The study revealed that the two dimensions of both God Attachment and Romantic Attachment were significantly (inversely) correlated with Relationship Satisfaction. God Attachment accounted for 6% unique variance on Relationship Satisfaction after controlling for Romantic Attachment. God Anxiety and Romantic Avoidance had a direct effect on Relationship Satisfaction. Unexpected findings in regard to Romantic Anxiety’s effect on Relationship Satisfaction were found. Future research and additional considerations are discussed. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements........................................................................................................…...i Abstract……………………………….………….……………….………………...........iii List of Tables and Figures...........................................................................................…...ix CHAPTER ONE: …………………………………………………………………………1 The Problem ………………………………………………………………………………1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………….1 Purpose………….…………………………………………………………………………3 Background and Theoretical Considerations..............................................................…...3 Factors that Influence Relationship Satisfaction…………………………………………..3 Interpersonal Variables………………………………………….…………….......4 Intrapersonal Variables………………………………………………………........4 A Link between Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Variables: Attachment Perspective …………………………………………………………..6 Attachment Theory……………………………..…………………………………………7 Attachment Beliefs Organized at the Behavioral Level………..…………………8 Adult Attachment............................................................................................................10 Attachment and Adult Relationship Satisfaction..………………………………11 Adult Attachment to God.........................................................................................…...14 Importance of the Study and Implications……………………………………………….17 Research Questions………………………………………….…………………………...17 Limitations and Assumptions of the Study………………………………………….…...18 Terms and Definitions………………………………………………………………....…19 v CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE………………………………….23 Overview………………….………..…………………………………………………….23 Relationship Satisfaction…………………………………………………………..…….25 Relationship Satisfaction Defined……………………………………..…………………27 Relationship Satisfaction Constructs…………….………………………………………28 Interpersonal Variables…………………………………………………………29 Intrapersonal Variables…………………………………………………………33 Integrating Inter and Intrapersonal Variables of Relationship Satisfaction……………………………………………………………………..35 Attachment Theory….….…..……………………………………………………………36 Attachment and Childhood.......................................................................................…...38 The Attachment Behavioral System…………….……………………………………….39 Internal Working Models…..…………………………………………………………….42 Adult Attachment Beliefs…..……………………………………………………………44 Adult Attachment Classifications…….…………….…………………………………....45 Attachment and Adult Relationship Satisfaction……..………………………………….48 Attachment Styles and Outcomes of Relationship Satisfaction………………….49 Attachment and Religion…………..…………………………………………………….51 God Attachment…….…………………………………………………………………...52 God and the Attachment Behavioral System…………………………………..55 Conceptualizations of God as an Attachment Figure………………………….55 Hypotheses about Religious Belief…………...………………………………………….57 Correspondence Hypotheses……………………………………………………..58 Compensation Hypotheses……………………………………………………….61 vi Integrating Correspondence and Compensation Hypotheses......................…....63 God Attachment and Romantic Relationships..........................................................….....67 Love Mechanism Hypothesis and Emotion Compensation............................…...67 Individual Differences in Adult Attachment………………………...…………..69 God Attachment, Religiosity, and Relationship Status…………………………..71 God Attachment and Partner Availability………………………………………..73 God Attachment and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction……………………………….74 God Attachment and the Current Study………………………………………………….76 Research Questions…………………….……………………………………………......81 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY………………………………………………..80 Method………………………………………………………………………………..…80 Procedures….......................................................................................................80 Participants….…………………………………………………………………...81 Measures……………………………………………………………………………….82 Background Information and Family History…………………………………………82 Experiences in Close Relationships……………………………………………..83 Attachment to God Inventory…………………...…………………………….…84 Relationship Satisfaction Scale…………………………………………………..86 Data Analysis…….…………………………………………………………………….87 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS..................................................................................…...89 Introduction……………………………..………………….…………………………….89 Results……………………………………………………………………………………91 vii Research Question One……………………………………..……………………………91 Correlations for Relationship Satisfaction………….……………………..…….92 Variances Associated with Relationship Satisfaction…………………………..93 Research Question Two..............................................................................................…...95 Simultaneous Multiple Regression Analysis…………………………………..95 CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY FINDINGS, DISCUSSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………………………….....99 Summary of Findings………………………………………………………………….99 Research Question One…………………………………………………………99 Research Question Two………………………………………………………...100 Discussion and Recommendations…………...……………………………………….101 Internalized Representations of Self and Other in Romantic Relationships.............................................................................................…......101 Unexpected Findings Regarding Romantic Anxiety and Relationship Satisfaction…102 The Influence of God Anxiety on Relationship Satisfaction………………..…104 The Influence of God Avoidance on Relationship Satisfaction…………….…..106 The Influence of Romantic Avoidance on Relationship Satisfaction……..……107 The Influence of Romantic Anxiety on Relationship Satisfaction………..……108 Implications for the Church and Faith-Based Counselors………………….…..109 Considerations Regarding the Correspondence and Compensation Hypotheses...................................................................................110 Limitations................................................................................................................…...112
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