Attachment Theory and Family Functioning: Expectations and Congruencies

SynopsisQuestionnaire measures of attachment style, family functioning, and beliefs about self and others were taken from 193 adults. A principal components factor analysis of IS attachment items revealed a two factor solution to the attachment construct - Closeness and Anxiety. The three previously described attachment styles (Hazan & Shaver, 1987) were plotted on a grid using these two dimensions as axes. Measures of family functioning and mental models separated the secure from insecure attachment styles. Secure subjects scored higher on the family intimacy scale, were more democratic in their parenting style, and reported less conflict than insecure subjects. Secure subjects also reported themselves as easy to get to know and expressed more confidence in themselves and others. Insecure subjects generally disagreed that they were easy to get to know and expressed doubts about themselves and the likelihood of others liking them. Avoidant subjects scored lower on the family scales than the Anxious/ambivalent subjects, but the Anxious/ambivalent subjects tended to score lower on the mental model items. The results support a congniency model where relationships are conducted in keeping with one’s expectations of self and the social world.