Young adults' attachment and caregiving working models: features and functions

Abstract

Using attachment theory as the theoretical framework and social-cognitive, observational and self-report methods of data collection, this thesis addressed important questions peliaining to attachment and care giving in young adulthood. This research is part of the growing field of adult attachment research from a social and personality psychology perspective. It has addressed a relatively new theme in adult attachment research: individual differences in caregiving toward romantic partners and peers. This thesis addressed three main research questions. The first addressed the affect of romantic care giving on emotional well-being and evaluations of the self and romantic relationship. Romantic caregiving lead to temporary changes in the selfesteem and relationship dissatisfaction of young adult support-seekers. These changes were moderated by support-seekers' attachment orientation and perceived distress. The second focus addressed the way in which experiences of receiving care from attachment figures in childhood (i.e., mother and father) and young adulthood (romantic partner and peer) shaped young adults' caregiving ability. Results revealed that the way in which care is received from attachment figures shapes the way in which care is provided. Specific patterns of influence were found: same-sex parent and identification, opposite-sex parent and matching of features between the attachments (e.g., nature of dyad). The third focus addressed Collins and Read's (1994) propositions regarding the structural features of working models of attachment and caregiving. Model strength and model elaboration as an indicator of model strength were operationalised and hierarchical regressions were used to examine the way in which structural features moderate relationship-specific influences on adult caregiving. Findings are discussed in terms of their support for social-cognitive perspectives on attachment theory, their relevance for informing clinical and therapeutic interventions, the intergenerational continuity of care giving patterns and the importance of romantic care giving from an evolutionary perspective.

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