Exploring the Relationships Between Attachment, Epistemic Trust, And
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Exploring the relationships between attachment, epistemic trust, and expectations of helping relationships in adolescents. Tal Reches D.Clin.Psy. Thesis (Volume 1) 2017 University College London 1 UCL Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Thesis declaration form I confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis. Signature: Name: Tal Reches Date: 23.6.2017 2 Overview The overall focus of this thesis is to explore whether young people’s help- seeking is affected by their attachment and epistemic trust (ET). Part one presents a systematic literature review, which explores the relationship between attachment and help-seeking tendencies and behaviours. Existing research suggests that help-seeking processes are associated with individual differences in attachment; however, no systemic review has previously considered the relationship between the two. The review also addresses potential mediators and moderators for the observed relationship. Part two presents an empirical paper that addresses multiple points: first, it looks at the relationship between attachment and expectation of helping relationship in the general context of young people’s social networks and in the specific context of the therapeutic environment. Second, it reports on the potential role of ET as a mediator of this relationship. Results showed that attachment was a predictor of young people’s expectations of helping relationships. Only limited evidence was found regarding the role epistemic trust plays in the observed relationship. Results are discussed in light of the novelty of the measures used. Finally, some clinical implications of this study are discussed, including the promotion of outreach intervention efforts to promote help-seeking among young people. Data collection was conducted jointly with another two fellow trainees. Part three presents a critical appraisal of the empirical paper and provides reflections on the process of conducting research with an adolescent population, of defining and measuring the construct of ‘expectations of helping relationship’, and of conducting research into an emerging field. 3 Table of Contents Declaration...................................................................................................................2 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 3 Table of contents…......................................................................................................4 List of Tables................................................................................................................ 6 List of Figures .............................................................................................................. 6 Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................ 7 Part One: Literature Review ........................................................................................ 8 1.1 Abstract .................................................................................................................. 9 1.2 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 10 1.3 Method ................................................................................................................. 16 1.4 Results .................................................................................................................. 20 1.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................ 38 1.6 References ............................................................................................................ 51 Part Two: Empirical Paper ......................................................................................... 62 2.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................ 63 2.2 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 65 2.3 Method ................................................................................................................. 75 2.4 Results .................................................................................................................. 85 2.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................ 98 2.6 References .......................................................................................................... 110 Part Three: Critical Appraisal .................................................................................. 120 References ................................................................................................................ 134 Appendices ............................................................................................................... 136 Appendix A: Search terms for literature review……………………………………...137 Appendix B: QualSyst checklist .............................................................................. 141 Appendix C: Summary table for literature review studies ....................................... 139 Appendix D: QualSyst Ranking………………………………………………………..151 Appendix E: Summery of main findings for literature review studies .................... 154 Appendix F: Joint project Statement ........................................................................ 174 Appendix G:Participants information sheets for young people under the age of 16 ......................................................................................................................... 176 Appendix H: Participants information sheets for parents ........................................ 182 4 Appendix I: Participants information sheets foryoung people above the age of 16 ......................................................................................................................... 188 Appendix J: Assent form for young people under the age of 16 ............................. 194 Appendix K: Consent form for parents .................................................................... 198 Appendix L: Consent form for young people above the age of 16 .......................... 202 Appendix M: testing pack ........................................................................................ 206 Appendix N: Ethics application approval letter (UCL) ........................................... 223 Appendix O: Ethics application approval letter (NHS) ........................................... 226 Appendix P: The Trust Game………………...........................................................233 Appendix Q: ETI measure ....................................................................................... 237 Appendix R. Regression Analysis ........................................................................... 252 Appendix S. Correlation Matrixes ........................................................................... 255 5 List of Tables Part One: Literature Review Table 1. Attachment Measures ................................................................................... 23 Table 2. Help-Seeking Measures .............................................................................. 25 Part Two: Empirical Paper Table 1. Demographic characteristics of the samlpe ................................................. 76 Table 2. Factors loadings and Communalities for the NRI-Parents subscales ......... 87 Table 3. Factors loadings and Communalities for the NRI-Friends subscales .......... 87 Table 4. Factors loadings and Communalities for the Trust Game subscales ........... 88 Table 5. Descriptive Data ........................................................................................... 88 Table 6. Correlation Matrix: study's variables and Sample's charectaristics………...90 Table 7. Correlation matrix: Predictors and Outcome Variables…………………...95 List of Figures Part One: Literature Review Figure 1. Paper Selection Procedure .......................................................................... 19 Part Two: Empirical Paper Figure 1. Breakdown of Recruitment stages .............................................................. 79 Figure 2.Mediation Analysis Modles ........................................................................ 98 6 Acknowledgments I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Peter Fonagy, for his help and support in the process of conducting and writing this project. Your knowledge and guidance have been extremely valuable. I would also like to thank my external supervisor, Dr. Tobias Nolte, for supporting me and providing constructive feedback. Thank you to Jessie Greisbach and Elise Draper, my fellow trainees in the DclinPsy course, who were also involved in this project. Working with you has been a great experience; your kind support helped me master the most challenging aspects of this project. I would also like to thank my family for keeping faith in me and for their endless support and encouragement. Finally, I would like to dedicate this work to my soon-to-be first child. You have certainly tested my limits while conducting this project, but have also filled me with a true sense of happiness. Going forward, all my thoughts will be dedicated to you. 7 Part One: Literature