Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact that attachment (as measured by an adult attachment measure) has on a college student's perceived stress levels. A sample of seven hundred and twenty-seven college students ranging from 18 to 30 years (N=727; 73.2% female, 26.8% male; 46.8% Hispanic/Latino, 18.2% Asian/Pacific Islander, 13.3% Caucasian, 7.4% other/mixed, 5.0% Middle Eastern, 4.5% African American/Black, 4.5% Armenian, and 0.3% Native American) completed two self-report questionnaires assessing attachment styles (ECR-S) and perceived stress levels (PSS). Analyses revealed a statistically significant relationship between an adult's level of secure attachment and level of perceived stress. The overall results showed that secure attachment levels were significantly and negatively related to perceived stress levels. These results provide further evidence of the impact that earlier relationships have on a person's functioning in adulthood, specifically with regards to one's ability to cope with a physically and emotionally demanding environment. Implications for providing attachment related interventions and directions for future research are explored.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Dissertations (PsyD) -- Psychology; Attachment behavior; College students -- Mental health; Stress (Psychology)
Date of Award
2014
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Psychology
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Shafranske, Edward;
Recommended Citation
Dorin, Jason, "Attachment style and perceived stress in college students" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 411.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/411