Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between attachment styles and emotion regulation difficulties in a purposive sample of 548 undergraduate students attending 4 universities in Antofagasta, Chile. The instru ments used were the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR-E) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-E) . The results of multivariate analysis of variance and post hoc contrasts reveal statistically significant differences in emotion regulation difficulties according to attachment styles. Specifically, subjects with secure attachment styles had lower levels of confusion than those with insecure styles; moreover, they manifested lower levels of lack of control, emotional rejection, and daily interference than individuals with preoccupied and fearful styles; however, they did not differ from those with dismissive styles. In addition, the highest levels of lack of emotional awareness and emotional confusion were detected among individuals with dismissive and fearful attachment styles. Finally, individuals with preoccupied and fearful attachment styles showed more emotional rejection and daily interference. The implications of explaining difficulties in emotion regulation within the framework of attach ment theory are discussed.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between attachment styles and emotion regulation difficulties in a purposive sample of 548 undergraduate students attending 4 universities in Antofagasta, Chile
The results of multivariate analysis of variance and post hoc contrasts reveal statistically significant differences in emotion regulation difficulties according to attachment styles
The highest levels of lack of emotional awareness and emotional confusion were detected among individuals with dismissive and fearful attachment styles
Summary
De acuerdo a Bowlby (1986/2003), la calidad de la experiencia infantil de apego tendría un rol fundamental en la capacidad del niño y futuro adulto para establecer y enfrentar relaciones afectivas, puesto que el vínculo cuidador-niño cumple una función regulatoria importante a nivel emocional (Sroufe, 2000, 2005). Dentro de esta segunda tradición, las diferencias en el apego adulto pueden conceptualizarse a partir de variaciones en dos dimensiones: la ansiedad ante el abandono y la evitación de la intimidad (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998; Fraley & Waller, 1998). Con base en estos planteamientos, Bartholomew y Horowitz (1991) desarrollaron un modelo de cuatro categorías o estilos de apego: seguro, preocupado, desentendido y temeroso, en los que subyacen las dos dimensiones descritas: ansiedad y evitación. En la presente investigación se optó por una aproximación categorial, basada en la propuesta de Bartholomew y Horowitz (1991), de tal manera que se pueda valorar el aporte de cada estilo de apego a la comprensión de las DRE. Tal decisión se fundamenta en que, si bien los dos tipos de medidas presentan ventajas y desventajas (Feeney & Noller, 1996/2001), la evaluación categorial presenta mayores facilidades para la comunicación científica de los hallazgos (Martínez & Santelices, 2005)
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