Representations of Early Attachment Experiences and Personality in Adulthood

Reiner I, Spangler G (2013)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2013

Journal

Original Authors: Spangler Gottfried, Reiner Iris

Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 20

Pages Range: 38-45

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1007/s10804-013-9154-x

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the association between the representation of early attachment experiences and personality in a representative and non-clinical German adult sample. Adult attachment was assessed by means of the Adult Attachment Interview. One hundred and sixty-seven German adults completed the NEO-FFI and the TPQ. Three important findings emerged: (1) Adults with insecure attachment representation (dismissing versus preoccupied) differ from each other in Neuroticism and Harm Avoidance, (2) attachment security is independent of personality and (3) Adults with an unresolved attachment trauma do not differ from those without with respect to personality. Our results underline the interrelation between attachment experiences, the regulation of negative emotions and self-perceived personality traits in adulthood. Moreover, our findings support theoretical assumptions of attachment theory proposing that attachment security emerges within social relationships. We suggest that unresolved attachment, at least in non-clinical samples, occurs through attachment-related traumatic experiences rather than specific personality dispositions and invite researchers to further explore biological and environmental risk factors leading to an unresolved state-of-mind. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

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How to cite

APA:

Reiner, I., & Spangler, G. (2013). Representations of Early Attachment Experiences and Personality in Adulthood. Journal of adult development, 20(1), 38-45. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10804-013-9154-x

MLA:

Reiner, Iris, and Gottfried Spangler. "Representations of Early Attachment Experiences and Personality in Adulthood." Journal of adult development 20.1 (2013): 38-45.

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