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Examining the link between adult attachment style, employment and academic achievement in first semester higher education

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Abstract

Although previous research indicates that both employment and adult attachment style have an influence on academic achievement, the interaction of these two factors has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of adult attachment style on the relationship between employment status and first semester academic achievement in higher education. A sample of 378 freshman college students answered a series of questionnaires (Academic Amotivation Inventory, the Relationship Questionnaire and demographic), and their high school averages and first semester academic results were obtained from the Registrar’s office. The Analysis of covariance showed that employment status (having employment vs. no employment) and adult attachment style of students (secure vs. dismissing) strongly interacted in predicting academic achievement (first semester average adjusted for high school average, perceived financial burden, and amotivation). More specifically, the first semester averages of secure students with or without employment, and that of dismissing students without employment was indistinguishable. However, dismissing students with employment had significantly lower first semester averages than the secure students. This study showed that dismissing students entering postsecondary education who also have employment are at greater risk of academic difficulties than students with a secure attachment style.

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Acknowledgments

We would sincerely like to thank the Cégep de l’Outaouais research organization for providing financial assistance in carrying out this work. We would also like to thank Yolanda Korneluk and Simon Davidson for comments on previous versions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, 283 boul. Alexandre-Taché, Gatineau, QC, J9A 1L8, Canada

    Guy Beauchamp

  2. Department of Psychology, CÉGEP de l’Outaouais, 333 boul. Cité-des-Jeunes, Gatineau, QC, J8Y 6M4, Canada

    Marc Martineau

  3. Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada

    André Gagnon

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  1. Guy Beauchamp
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  2. Marc Martineau
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Correspondence to Guy Beauchamp.

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Beauchamp, G., Martineau, M. & Gagnon, A. Examining the link between adult attachment style, employment and academic achievement in first semester higher education. Soc Psychol Educ 19, 367–384 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-015-9329-3

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