University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2013-10-03 Exploration of Resilience in Relation to Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Attachment Styles Kurilova, Jana Kurilova, J. (2013). Exploration of Resilience in Relation to Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Attachment Styles (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26075 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1125 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Exploration of Resilience in Relation to Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Attachment Styles by Jana Kurilova A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DIVISION OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY CALGARY, ALBERTA SEPTEMBER, 2013 © Jana Kurilova 2013 ii Abstract This study utilized a cross-sectional design (N = 114) to investigate relationships between the constructs of resilience, mindfulness, self-compassion, and attachment styles with the goal of gaining better insights into the nature of these relationships and shedding light on the possible mechanisms through which these constructs may interact and contribute to positive mental health outcomes. Resilience was significantly positively correlated with mindfulness and self- compassion, as well as significantly inversely correlated with attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance. Multiple regression analyses containing the predictors of (a) mindfulness, self- compassion, attachment anxiety, and attachment avoidance, (b) individual mindfulness components, and (c) individual self-compassion components all accounted for a significant amount of variance in resilience scores. Mindfulness and self-compassion were significantly negatively correlated with both attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance. An additional exploratory component of this study examined the effects of yoga practice and amount of experience in practicing yoga on the constructs of interest. iii Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. v Chapter One: Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 Background and Overview of the Constructs of Interest........................................................... 2 Overview of the Study .............................................................................................................. 7 Chapter Two: Review of the Literature and Purpose of the Study ........................................ 9 Resilience .................................................................................................................................. 9 Mindfulness ............................................................................................................................. 14 Self-Compassion ..................................................................................................................... 20 Attachment .............................................................................................................................. 26 Yoga Practice .......................................................................................................................... 35 Emerging Literature Pertaining to Relationships between Constructs of Interest .................. 36 Purpose and Research Questions ............................................................................................ 41 Primary Research Questions ............................................................................................... 42 Exploratory Research Question .......................................................................................... 43 Hypotheses .............................................................................................................................. 43 Chapter Three: Methodology ................................................................................................... 45 Participants .............................................................................................................................. 45 Procedures ............................................................................................................................... 47 Measures ................................................................................................................................. 48 Demographic Questionnaire ............................................................................................... 48 Resilience Scale ................................................................................................................. 48 Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire .............................................................................. 50 Self-Compassion Scale ...................................................................................................... 52 Attachment Style Questionnaire ........................................................................................ 53 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 55 Chapter Four: Results .............................................................................................................. 56 Descriptive Statistics ............................................................................................................... 56 Correlational Analyses ............................................................................................................ 57 iv Multiple Regression Analyses ................................................................................................ 60 Analyses of Variance .............................................................................................................. 62 Chapter Five: Discussion ........................................................................................................... 65 How Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Attachment Relate to Resilience .......................... 66 Resilience and Mindfulness ................................................................................................ 66 Resilience and Self-Compassion ........................................................................................ 70 Resilience and Attachment ................................................................................................. 74 Attachment – Relationships with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion .................................... 77 Effects of Yoga Practice .......................................................................................................... 80 Limitations .............................................................................................................................. 83 Future Directions ..................................................................................................................... 85 Conclusions and Practice Implications ................................................................................... 87 References .................................................................................................................................... 89 v List of Tables Table 1. Participant Characteristics ............................................................................................. 46 Table 2. Descriptive Statistics for Assessed Variables ................................................................ 56 Table 3. Correlations between Assessed Variables ..................................................................... 58 Table 4. Regression Analysis Showing Prediction of Resilience by Self-Compassion Factors .. 60 Table 5. Regression Analysis Showing Prediction of Resilience by Mindfulness Facets ........... 61 Table 6. Regression Analysis Showing Prediction of Resilience by Total Mindfulness, Total Self-Compassion, Attachment Anxiety, and Attachment Avoidance ........................... 61 Table 7. Effects of Yoga Practice on Mindfulness, Attachment, Self-Compassion, and Resilience ....................................................................................................................... 62 Table 8. Effects of Yoga Experience on Mindfulness, Attachment, Self-Compassion, and Resilience ....................................................................................................................... 64 1 Chapter One: Introduction Research in the field of psychology has traditionally followed a problem-oriented approach, focusing much of its attention on psychopathology, maladaptive behaviours, and investigation of factors that contribute to deficits in psychological functioning