Research on suicidal ideation indicates the significant role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early parental attachment but fails to investigate risk potential in student populations....Show moreResearch on suicidal ideation indicates the significant role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early parental attachment but fails to investigate risk potential in student populations. This study aimed to research how adverse childhood experiences in a population of university students who report mood and stress problems are related to suicidal ideation and whether the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and suicidal ideation is moderated by attachment style. To target students at risk for suicidal ideation, purposive sampling was employed. An independent samples t-test with consecutive multiple regression (n= 234) showed that adverse childhood experiences, measured with the ACE questionnaire, predicted the presence and severity of suicidal ideation, measured by the BSSI. Consecutive ANCOVA showed that disorganized attachment to the mother and father, measured with the PBI, were found to predict suicidal ideation. Secure attachment was negatively associated with suicidal ideation, whereas for avoidant and anxious attachment there was no association found. A logistic regression analysis showed no moderation effect of insecure attachment styles in the relation between adverse childhood experiences and suicidal ideation. Gender, academic pressure, and nationality were controlled. Findings may be limited due to methodological and performance flaws. The results highlight the importance of early identification of adverse childhood experiences and disorganized attachment for intervention and prevention of later suicidal ideation amongst students.Show less
Research shows that sexual minority individuals are often faced with stressors that are associated with their minority status and that these stressors affect their psychological well-being. This...Show moreResearch shows that sexual minority individuals are often faced with stressors that are associated with their minority status and that these stressors affect their psychological well-being. This leaves the question which factors are implicated in their thriving and thus in their psychological well-being. This study used the relational cultural theory and investigated potential protective factors in the lives of sexual minorities. In particular, it investigated the associations between two dimensions of attachment style (model of self and model of others), self-respect, and psychological well-being and checked for a possible mediation effect of self-respect in the relationship between model of self and model of others and psychological well-being in a population of sexual minority adults (N= 241). The effects between the variables mentioned were tested using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire – Short Form, the Relationship Questionnaire, and a Self-Respect measure through an online survey. Model of self was found to be positively associated with self-respect while model of others was not. Both dimensions of attachment style were found to correlate with psychological well-being. Self-respect was also found to be positively associated with psychological well-being. Further, self-respect was found to partially mediate the relationship between model of self and psychological well-being, but not between model of other and psychological well-being. These results suggest that a positive model of self and of others, and self-respect are important for psychological well-being. These factors are important in the context of growth-fostering relationships in order to improve psychological well-being.Show less
Research has proposed that there is a positive correlation between attachment style and resilience through a mediation of self-efficacy and self-care. This study sought to investigate the...Show moreResearch has proposed that there is a positive correlation between attachment style and resilience through a mediation of self-efficacy and self-care. This study sought to investigate the relationship between attachment style and resilience in specifically the sexual minority population. As sexual minority individuals tend to experience more hardship and be more insecurely attached, this relationship may be different in this population, thereby making it worthwhile to investigate whether this relationship is different from that in the general population. Taking a dimensional approach with attachment style, Model of Self, Model of Other, and resilience of non-heterosexual participants aged 18 and up (N = 239) were measured by means of a survey. It was hypothesized that more positive scores on Model of Self and Model of Other would be associated with higher resilience scores. From a multiple regression analysis, it was concluded that the model itself (p < .001), Model of Self (beta = .36, p < .001), Model of Other (beta = -.13, p = .024), and the interaction between the two (beta = .19, p = .001) were statistically significant. A positive relationship was found between Model of Self and resilience, whereas Model of Other and resilience produced a negative relationship. The relationship between Model of Self and resilience fits in with literature, although the negative relationship between Model of Other and resilience seemingly contradicts literature. This contradiction may be explained using self-efficacy and self-care. Further research on Model of Other and self-efficacy and self-care may elucidate this paradoxical relationship.Show less
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder among adolescents. In SAD, gender differences are more prominent in adolescence (i.e. a higher prevalence amongst females). As...Show moreSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder among adolescents. In SAD, gender differences are more prominent in adolescence (i.e. a higher prevalence amongst females). As research on gender differences in SAD is scarce, it is still unknown why gender differences in SAD exist and why they are more prominent in adolescents. A factor contributing to the development of SAD is attachment, as it contributes to the way individuals explore a social life. Compared to securely attached adolescents, insecurely attached adolescents experience more difficulty dealing with social situations, placing them at risk for SAD signs. Moreover, an insecure attachment is more common in females than in males. Thus, adolescents' attachment might explain the gender differences in the prevalence of SAD. The current cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between gender and SAD signs, with attachment as a mediator. We also explored whether this differed between maternal and paternal attachment. It was expected that (1) gender would predict SAD signs; (2) attachment would predict SAD signs; and (3) attachment would mediate the relationship between gender and SAD signs (i.e. females would be more insecurely attached and would therefore show more SAD signs than males). In total, 116 adolescents aged 9-12 years completed the YAM-5 and IPPA-R to measure their SAD signs and attachment to their parents, respectively. Regression analyses yielded three main findings. First, contrary to our hypotheses, gender did not significantly predict SAD signs (B = .145; p = .126) and adolescents’ attachment to their parents. Second, consistent with our hypotheses, both maternal (B = -.314; p < .001) and paternal attachment (B = -.393; p < .001) significantly predicted SAD signs. Thus, adolescents’ attachment did not mediate the relationship between gender and SAD signs, but directly affected SAD signs. Attachment-based interventions are effective, but future research is needed to examine if these will also be effective for adolescents with SAD. Additionally, paternal attachment significantly predicted SAD signs. Most previous research, however, has solely focused on maternal attachment. This study, therefore, highlights the importance of more father representation in future research regarding attachment.Show less
Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)
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Background: about 5% of children experience childhood parental death, which has been associated with a higher risk for developing insecure attachment styles in adulthood. However, some people...Show moreBackground: about 5% of children experience childhood parental death, which has been associated with a higher risk for developing insecure attachment styles in adulthood. However, some people suffer more long-term consequences compared to others, even within the same family. Which factors play a role in the differential experiences following childhood parental death, even between siblings, who experienced the same objective life event? Objective: In the current study, we aimed to investigate the association between childhood parental death and adult attachment, and the role of parental bonding with each parent in this association. We also investigated this in a sibling-context, where we studied parental bonding as a family-wide and an individual factor. Design: 819 participants, aged between 25 and 45 years old, took part in this cross-sectional between-subject study. Questionnaires were administered to obtain information about parental bonding and adult attachment. The study included two parts, where in the first part the hypotheses were investigated in the main sample (i.e., a sample of nonrelated individuals), an in the second part in the sibling sample (i.e., a sample of sibling dyads and triads). Results: Both avoidant and anxiety attachment were more present in the target group compared to the control group in the main sample, but not in the sibling sample. Stronger maternal and paternal bonding were related to less insecure attachment in adulthood in the control group of the main sample, but no associations between bonding with the surviving and deceased parent were found the target group of the main sample. Stronger family-wide and individual maternal bonding were related to less avoidance attachment in the control group of the sibling sample, but not to anxiety attachment. In the target group of the sibling sample, stronger family-wide bonding with the surviving parent was related to less avoidance attachment and stronger family-wide bonding with the deceased parent was related to less anxiety attachment. Conclusion: Childhood parental death appears to be related to more insecure attachment in adulthood. The role of parental bonding seems to be different depending upon whether childhood parental death has been experienced. Within siblings, both familywide parental bonding and individual specific bonding seem to have individual effects on adult attachment, suggesting that including individual and family-wide experiences might shed light upon more complex processes of bonding and attachment formation within families. However, further research is needed to replicate these findings before conclusions can be drawn.Show less
Attraction is a bodily feeling that most of us have likely felt before. This feeling is considered highly important when choosing a potential partner. Thus, plethora of studies have focused on...Show moreAttraction is a bodily feeling that most of us have likely felt before. This feeling is considered highly important when choosing a potential partner. Thus, plethora of studies have focused on uncovering the features that people generally find attractive, such as genuine smiles, coy smiles and provocative clothing. However, the role of personal characteristics that may also influence one’s level of attraction towards these features remains not well understood. In the present thesis, I examine one such characteristic, namely adult attachment style and its effect on attraction. Following the exclusion criteria, nineteen (N = 20; 9 men; 12 women; 7 securely attached; 4 avoidantly attached; 9 anxiously attached) participants were included in this study. Participants were presented with a series of videos of opposite-sex individuals dressed in either conservative or provocative clothing and exhibiting neutral expressions, genuine smiles and coy smiles. They filled in several questionnaires, including the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ). In line with the expectations, it was found that genuine smiles were rated as significantly more attractive, compared to neutral expressions. Contrary to my expectations, no significant effects were found of coy smiles, clothing or attachment style on initial attraction. Future research may benefit from replication of this thesis with optional improvements, such as a larger sample size, the adoption of Adult Attachment Interview methods (AAI), greater differences between provocative and conservative clothing conditions and a naturalistic setting.Show less
The present study looked into the relationship between rejection sensitivity (RS) and feedback learning, and whether this is possibly mediated by attachment. Humans have a need to fit in and have...Show moreThe present study looked into the relationship between rejection sensitivity (RS) and feedback learning, and whether this is possibly mediated by attachment. Humans have a need to fit in and have close interpersonal relationships, and therefore, it is essential to be able to adjust and learn from feedback from others. Individual differences, such as RS, could play an important role in which attachment style an individual uses and how one responds to feedback. Participants (N= 97) completed several questionnaires, including Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) and Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ). Additionally, they took part in the Social Probabilistic Learning Paradigm (SELF-Symbol) to measure feedback learning, and were observed for behavioural data. Results indicated that RS is closely related to attachment, and therefore, to attachment-related anxiety. The negative direction of the relationship between RS and feedback learning and between feedback learning and attachment were found as expected. However, these relationships were not robust. As this study did not find a mediating role of attachment on the relationship between RS and feedback learning, this study still contributes to the scarce knowledge in the field of RS and attachment. Future research can use the limitations of this study to build on the newfound knowledge obtained from this research, where possible interventions can be made to increase the well-being of people high in RS, attachment-related anxiety, and in civil society.Show less
Twin pregnancies often go accompanied with increased chances of prenatal and perinatal death of a co-twin. Research has shown there is an association between losing a co-twin during or right after...Show moreTwin pregnancies often go accompanied with increased chances of prenatal and perinatal death of a co-twin. Research has shown there is an association between losing a co-twin during or right after birth and psychological problem in the surviving twin. In addition, losing a baby in a multiple pregnancy can lead to complex feelings of grief in the parents which might influence the parental attachment to the surviving baby. One study found a relationship between losing a co-twin in the womb and anxiety in children, however, to date no studies have examined whether there is an association between losing a co-twin in the womb and emotional and attachment problems in adulthood. The sample of this study consisted of 96 participants (90,63% females, Mage = 44,38) of which 82 single born twins and 14 full siblings. Participants completed an online survey with multiple questionnaires to measure emotional and attachment problems. The regression analyses showed that single born twins reported more emotional and attachment problems than non-single born twins. A paired samples t-test showed the same results for emotional problems when comparing single born twins with their siblings. The age at which single born twins heard about their loss was not associated with the severity of emotional and attachment problems. The results indicate the importance of researching the link between losing a co-twin in the womb and emotional and attachment problems and suggest to take the personal experiences, environmental influences, and nesting of participants in families into account.Show less
Adolescence is a sensitive period for the onset of internalizing problems. Previous studies showed that internalizing problems in adolescence may stem from lack of parental warmth and critical...Show moreAdolescence is a sensitive period for the onset of internalizing problems. Previous studies showed that internalizing problems in adolescence may stem from lack of parental warmth and critical parenting. However, most research between parenting and adolescent well-being is based on longitudinal designs, that do not account for the dynamic nature of daily parenting processes and the daily fluctuations in the adolescent affective states. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate to what extent perceived critical parenting and lack of parental warmth of both fathers and mothers are associated with negative affect of adolescents in daily life. Parental attachment was included to investigate the influence of attachment on the link between (negative) parenting behaviour and negative affect. The sample consisted of 80 Dutch adolescents (Mage = 15.90, 63.7% female) who completed ecological momentary assessments for a total of 14 days (4 surveys a day). The multi-level regression models showed that adolescents experienced significantly more negative affect on days when parents showed more criticism or less warmth. In addition, no significant interaction-effect was found between attachment and daily parental criticism from father and mother on adolescent's negative affect. Parental attachment only influences the association between lack of daily parental warmth from fathers and adolescent negative affect. The results showed that daily warmth from father has a stronger positive influence on adolescent negative affect when adolescents had a more secure attachment to their father. In addition, no significant interaction effect was found between attachment with mother and mother's warmth on adolescent's negative affect. These current findings could aid in developing new parental interventions to prevent internalizing problems in adolescents.Show less
The quality of early relationships is thought to form the basis of maintaining mental well-being later in life. The aim of this study was to examine the role of parental bonding, loneliness and...Show moreThe quality of early relationships is thought to form the basis of maintaining mental well-being later in life. The aim of this study was to examine the role of parental bonding, loneliness and hopelessness in the development of PTSD symptomatology in a young adult sample. Participants who study at Leiden University was asked to fill-out questionnaires about parental bonding, loneliness, hopelessness and PTSD. According to participants’ scores on parental bonding inventory (PBI), they were assigned either to secure or insecure attachment groups. A mediation analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between parental bonding and PTSD symptomatology by coding hopelessness and loneliness as potential mediators in this relationship. The results revealed that insecure attachment was associated with higher levels of hopelessness, loneliness and PTSD symptomatology whereas secure attachment was associated with lower levels of hopelessness, loneliness and PTSD symptomatology. Furthermore, loneliness and hopelessness mediated the relationship between parental bonding and PTSD symptomatology. These findings could help in identifying individuals who are more or less vulnerable to develop trauma-related symptoms after a traumatic or an adverse situation.Show less
Self-esteem is partially formed through social evaluations. After receiving approval from others, we feel better about ourselves. Attachment styles, the ways individuals relate to other people,...Show moreSelf-esteem is partially formed through social evaluations. After receiving approval from others, we feel better about ourselves. Attachment styles, the ways individuals relate to other people, influence both views of the self and how feedback from others is perceived. To understand how attachment styles impact on self-esteem responses to social feedback, the present study explored how approval and disapproval feedback affect self-esteem levels in young adults with different attachment styles. A sample (n = 48, 37 women, M age = 21.5) consisting of young adults performed a social evaluation task in which they predicted whether others would like them based on some information about their general tendency to like other people. Subsequently, participants received feedback about whether these people like them or not and then reported on their self-esteem repeatedly. Consistent with prior research, disapproval feedback lowered self-esteem, especially when it was unexpected. These self-esteem responses were not modulated by attachment styles. Securely attached individuals reported higher self-esteem and expected to be liked more often. Fearful-avoidant individuals reported lower self-esteem and less predictions to be liked. Anxious-preoccupied individuals reported less predictions to be liked. Together, these results show that attachment styles impact views of the self and others, but do not modulate self-esteem fluctuations in response to social feedback from strangers. The findings can be further implemented to understand how attachment styles impact self-esteem and how the nature of social feedback influences attachment system activation and self-esteem responses.Show less
Introduction: Childhood trauma (CT) is a broad concept and encompasses all forms of emotional and physical violence or neglect, with potentially serious consequences. CT may lead to intimate...Show moreIntroduction: Childhood trauma (CT) is a broad concept and encompasses all forms of emotional and physical violence or neglect, with potentially serious consequences. CT may lead to intimate partner violence (IPV) in later life. Insecure attachment has been found to influence the relationship between these two factors, but there is a lack of information on the extent of this association. This study examines the relationship between CT and IPV perpetration and victimization and the role of attachment style as a moderator within this relationship. Methods: An online survey on CT was used to cross-sectionally investigate self-reported CT, attachment styles and IPV within a sample of the general population (N = 421). Path analysis modelling using PROCESS was performed on the moderation model. Results: A direct effect of CT on IPV perpetration was found. There was no direct effect on the individual variables. There was no significant interaction effect of CT and attachment style on IPV. The hypothesis that the relationship between CT and IPV is moderated by attachment style was supported. Discussion: Although more research is needed on the specific effects of the different attachment styles on the relationship between CT and IPV, current findings suggest a moderating effect of attachment on the relationship between CT and IPV. The findings were only partly consistent with earlier findings, which encourages a critical view on the effects of CT on IPV in later life.Show less
There is a wealth of literature describing the role of eye contact in parent-child bonding between mothers and their infant children and in interpersonal bonding between adults. However, it is...Show moreThere is a wealth of literature describing the role of eye contact in parent-child bonding between mothers and their infant children and in interpersonal bonding between adults. However, it is unclear how making eye contact with parents during adolescence – a period during which individuals seek independence from their parents– relates to feelings of connectedness to parents. This study examined adolescents’ (n=61; 67.2% female) subjective feelings of connectedness, liking of interaction-partner and mood after receiving a direct and an averted gaze from their parent and other unfamiliar people. It also explored whether individual differences in attachment to parents moderate increases in these feelings after making eye contact. Participants, aged between 12 and 18 years-old (M=16.03; SD=1.22), were asked to make eye contact with one of their parents, an unfamiliar adult and an unfamiliar peer, using pre-recorded videos. In half of the videos, interaction partners averted their gaze while in the other half they looked directly into the camera. After each video, adolescents were asked to report on their feeling of connectedness, liking of each person and mood. My results demonstrate that adolescents reported increased feelings of connectedness, liking of their interaction-partner and mood after making eye contact with all interaction-partners. Individual differences in attachment (measured using the Inventory of Parent Attachment; IPPA) did not modulate subjective feelings after making eye contact. These findings provide evidence for a causal role of making eye contact on mood and feelings of connectedness. Potentially, eye contact can be used to improve dysfunctional parent-adolescent relationships, by facilitating closeness in clinical settings.Show less
Eye contact is crucial for interpersonal communication and bonding between humans. In adults, eye contact can improve feelings of connectedness to and liking for another person, as well as mood....Show moreEye contact is crucial for interpersonal communication and bonding between humans. In adults, eye contact can improve feelings of connectedness to and liking for another person, as well as mood. The present study examined whether eye contact could improve connectedness to and liking for other people in adolescents. Additionally, the influence of perceived levels of closeness (to parents, unknown adults and unknown adolescents) and inter-individual variation in autism spectrum symptoms was assessed. Participants (n = 61; 26.1% female) watched videos of themselves, an unknown adolescent, a parent, or an unknown adult of similar age as their parent either holding eye contact or averting their gaze. After each video, participants reported on their subjective feelings of connectedness to and liking for the person in the video, and their mood. Eye contact significantly improved all three aspects: connectedness, liking and mood. Participants felt most connected to their parents, liked them more and were in a better mood after looking at them, compared to unknown adolescents or adults. There was no evidence for the moderation of subclinical autism spectrum traits on the relationship between eye contact, connectedness, liking and mood. These findings highlight the importance of eye contact for connectedness to and liking for another person, as well as mood. They, therefore, have implications for interpersonal relationships and mental health. The present study points to a therapeutic potential of interventions enhancing eye contact: increased eye contact may contribute to an improved parent-child relationship, which is associated with better mental health.Show less
The study aimed to examine attachment as a determinant factor for the formation of self-concept positivity and empathy during adolescence. Attachment refers to the quality of relationship with a...Show moreThe study aimed to examine attachment as a determinant factor for the formation of self-concept positivity and empathy during adolescence. Attachment refers to the quality of relationship with a primary caregiver in the beginning of life and it affects an individual’s emotional and physical development throughout lifespan. It consists of two core dimensions, anxiety and avoidance. Attachment has been found to affect the formation of self-concept positivity, meaning how positive one perceives his own self and the formation of empathy, meaning the ability to experience someone else’s emotions. Yet, research regarding how those concepts are linked during adolescence is scarce. We expected that higher scores in attachment anxiety lead to lower scores both on self-concept positivity and empathy. Likewise, we expected that higher scores in attachment avoidance would again lead to lower scores in both dimensions. Lastly, we investigated potential interaction effects among the variables. The sample consisted of 160 adolescents between 11 and 21 years old. To assess their level of self-concept positivity, participants performed an fMRI examination. Their attachment type was measured by the ‘Experience in Close Relationships’ questionnaire and their levels of empathy were assessed by the ‘Interpersonal Reactivity Index’. The data was analysed by the statistical program IBM SPSS 25. The results suggested that attachment anxiety and avoidance were not related to the levels of self-concept positivity during adolescence. However, both of them were found to be negatively related to the levels of empathy. Finally, the results revealed no interaction effect.Show less
