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Adult Attachment and Well-Being: Dimensions of Differentiation of Self as Mediators

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Abstract

This study investigated adult attachment dimensions as predictors of interpersonal forgiveness, positive emotionality, and social justice commitment through dimensions of differentiation of self. The sample consisted of 209 master’s level graduate students at a Protestant-affiliated university in the United States. Results revealed that higher attachment anxiety was associated with decreased differentiation of self and that decreased differentiation of self was then associated with lower levels of interpersonal forgiveness, positive emotionality and social justice commitment. Increased attachment avoidance was similarly associated with decreased differentiation of self, which then corresponded to lower levels of interpersonal forgiveness, positive emotionality and social justice commitment. Findings are discussed in the context of existing theory and research, and attention is given to the implications for clinical training and practice and future research.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Drs. John O’Regan and Raja David of the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Twin Cities, for their invaluable contribution of expertise and guidance in the conceptualization and implementation of this research.

Funding

This project was supported by a grant from the Fetzer Institute (#2266).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 15251 Pleasant Valley Road, Center City, MN, 55012, USA

    Rebecca L. Hainlen

  2. Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN, 55112, USA

    Peter J. Jankowski

  3. Boston University, 185 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    David R. Paine & Steven J. Sandage

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  1. Rebecca L. Hainlen
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  2. Peter J. Jankowski
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  3. David R. Paine
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  4. Steven J. Sandage
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Correspondence to Rebecca L. Hainlen.

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Hainlen, R.L., Jankowski, P.J., Paine, D.R. et al. Adult Attachment and Well-Being: Dimensions of Differentiation of Self as Mediators. Contemp Fam Ther 38, 172–183 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-015-9359-1

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