Item Details

title

The Role of Attachment Dimensions in Using Positive Emotions to Regulate Stress from Interpersonal Conflicts in Close Relationships

author

Zeng, Fanyi

abstract

Attachment theory suggests that attachment dimensions could play a role in emotion regulation. However, not enough studies have been conducted to unveil the relationship between attachment dimensions and interpersonal stress regulation using positive emotions. Therefore, the current study, building on attachment theory and emotion regulation research, aims to advance knowledge in this area. In Study 1, I examined how general attachment dimensions predicted emotion regulation goals and the use of emotion regulation strategies involving positive emotions (positive reappraisal, relational savoring, and positive distraction) to cope with typical interpersonal stressors in general close relationships. In Study 2, I investigated how relationship-specific attachment dimensions predicted the probability, perceived effectiveness, and the choice of strategies to cope with a specific interpersonal stressor in their close relationships. Both studies found a negative relationship between attachment avoidance and relational savoring, and that positive distraction might be a favorable strategy for more avoidantly attached individuals. The present study findings have potential implications for future research on attachment and emotion regulation, and for intervention programs to improve positive emotions and relational wellness for less securely attached individuals undergoing interpersonal stress.

subject

anxiety

avoidance

conflict

distraction

reappraisal

savoring

contributor

Waugh, Christian E. (committee chair)

Fleeson, William (committee member)

Krcmar, Marina (committee member)

Masicampo, Emer J. (committee member)

date

2022-05-24T08:36:11Z (accessioned)

2022-05-24T08:36:11Z (available)

2022 (issued)

degree

Psychology (discipline)

identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/100767 (uri)

language

en (iso)

publisher

Wake Forest University

type

Thesis