LE3 .A278 2011

2011

Price, Lisa

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Clinical Psychology

Psychology

The present study examined attachment and the impact that focused attention has on processing emotional support. Eighty-six female participants were guided through an imagined stressful scenario. Half of the women listened to an audio-recorded message of support, pretending it was from their intimate partner. The others listened to the same message, but were encouraged to focus specifically on signs of unconditional support. The women completed measures to assess their mood and satisfaction with their relationship, and their perceptions of the support received. Their behaviour was also videotaped and coded. The data were analyzed using a series of independent samples t-tests to compare well-being and behaviour across conditions. The magnitudes of partial Pearson correlations between attachment style, well-being, and behaviour were compared in each condition. Results suggest possible interactions between attachment and the various measures dependent on condition, which would have implications for therapies fostering more secure intimate connections in couples.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:170