Attachment, coping and life satisfaction amongst tertiary students

Caltabiano, Marie L., and Grosset, Claudia (2009) Attachment, coping and life satisfaction amongst tertiary students. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society's Psychology of Relationships Interest Group. From: Connecting 9th Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society's Psychology of Relationships Interest Group, 7-8 November 2009, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.

[img] PDF (Published Version)
Restricted to Repository staff only

 
5


Abstract

The impact of adult attachment style on coping and life satisfaction was assessed for 112 tertiary students. Respondents completed the Brief COPE, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Relationship Questionnaire and the Relationships Styles Questionnaire in which they classified themselves into one of four attachment relationship patterns (Secure, Fearful, Dismissing and Preoccupied). Using a one-way between-groups multivariate analysis of variance to investigate attachment style differences in coping strategies, a statistically significant difference was found between attachment styles on the 14 combined coping dependent variables. When coping strategies were considered separately, self-distraction, substance use, behavioural disengagement and self blame differed amongst attachment styles. Preoccupied individuals used distraction, behavioural disengagement and self blame to cope with distress, whereas fearful individuals coped through substance use. Securely attached individuals reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction, however only compared to the Preoccupied group. Findings are discussed within the framework of attachment theory with reference to implications for professional practice in altering negative views of self and teaching alternative coping strategies to those with preoccupied or fearful attachment to enhance life satisfaction.

Item ID: 8964
Item Type: Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN: 978-0-909881-44-3
Keywords: attachment; coping; life satisfaction
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 24 May 2010 01:22
FoR Codes: 17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1701 Psychology > 170102 Developmental Psychology and Ageing @ 50%
17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology @ 50%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920401 Behaviour and Health @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 5
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page