Top

Journal of Child and Family Studies

Gepubliceerd in:

28-05-2019 | Original Paper

Romantic Attachment and Adjustment to Separation: The Role of Forgiveness of the Former Partner

Auteurs: Mónica Guzmán-González, Anna Wlodarczyk, Paula Contreras, Diana Rivera-Ottenberger, Lusmenia Garrido

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 11/2019

Abstract

Objective

Despite there is evidence linking romantic attachment to adjustment to divorce and separation (ADS), the mechanisms explaining this association needs further exploration. Hence, the aim of the study was to examine the mediating role forgiveness of the former partner in this association.

Method

The sample was composed of 1008 divorced or separated individuals (55.5% women; M = 38.71, SD = 12.25) from Chile. Participants completed the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale to measure romantic attachment, the Questionnaire of Forgiveness in Divorce and Separation to evaluate forgiveness of the former partner, and the Psychological Adjustment to Separation Test to measure the adjustment to divorce and separation.

Results

Using structural equation modeling, mediational analyses revealed that attachment anxiety was both directly and indirectly associated to ADS through forgiveness (indirect effects: loneliness = 0.08, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.029, 0.107]; attachment to the former partner = 0.06, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.018, 0.104]), whereas attachment avoidance had only a direct effect on ADS. Multigroup analysis revealed that this pattern of relationships was invariant across gender.

Conclusions

These results highlight the role that attachment and forgiveness play in the process of adjusting to a relationship dissolution that may be useful for clinical work with separated individuals or parents.

vorige artikel Longitudinal Examination of Relations between School- and Home-Based Parent Involvement and GPA across Ethnic Groups

volgende artikel Integrating Work and Family Responsibilities: Experiences of Fathers of Children with Special Health Care Needs

Akhtar, S., & Barlow, J. (2016). Forgiveness therapy for the promotion of mental well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 19(1), 107–122. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838016637079.CrossRef

Amato, P. R. (2000). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62(4), 1269–1287. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.01269.x.CrossRef

Amato, P. R. (2010). Research on divorce: continuing trends and new developments. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 650–666. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00723.x.CrossRef

Arenas, C., González, L., Lamilla, F., Osorio, M., Rodríguez, N., & Robles, J. (2015). Representaciones sociales sobre el matrimonio en estudiantes de Bachillerato de la Universidad de Santiago de Chile. Marital [Social representations of marriage in college students of the University of Santiago of Chile]. Revista de Estudios Cualitativos, 1, 40–62.

Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: a test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226–244. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.61.2.226.CrossRefPubMed

Birnbaum, G. E., Orr, I., Mikulincer, M., & Florian, V. (1997). When marriage breaks up-does attachment style contribute to coping and mental health? Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 14(5), 643–654. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407597145004.CrossRef

Bonach, K. (2009). Empirical support for the application of the Forgiveness Intervention Model to postdivorce coparenting. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 50(1), 38–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502550802365631.CrossRef

Bono, G., McCullough, M. E., & Root, L. M. (2008). Forgiveness, feeling connected to others, and well-being: two longitudinal studies. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34(2), 182–195. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167207310025.CrossRefPubMed

Bowlby, J. (1979). The Bowlby-Ainsworth attachment theory. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 2(4), 637–638. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x00064955.CrossRef

Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss: Vol. 3. Loss. New York, NY: Basic Books.

Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York, NY: Basic Books. (Original work published 1969).

Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult romantic attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46–76). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Burnette, J. L., Davis, D. E., Green, J. D., Worthington, Jr., E. L., & Bradfield, E. (2009). Insecure attachment and depressive symptoms: the mediating role of rumination, empathy, and forgiveness. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(3), 276–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.10.016.CrossRef

Byrne, B. M. (2012). Structural equation modeling with Mplus: basic concepts, applications, and programming. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group.

Calvo, A., Tartakowsky, A., & Maffei, T. (2011). Transformaciones en las Estructuras Familiares en Chile (Transformations in Family Structures in Chile). Santiago de Chile: Ministerio de Planificación.

Chung, M.-S. (2014). Pathways between attachment and marital satisfaction: the mediating role of rumination, empathy, and forgiveness. Personality and Individual Differences, 70, 246–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.06.032.CrossRef

Cohen, O., & Finzi-Dottan, R. (2012). Reasons for divorce and mental health following the breakup. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 53(8), 581–601. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2012.719413.CrossRef

Collins, N. L., & Read, S. J. (1990). Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(4), 644–663. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.58.4.644.CrossRefPubMed

Davis, D., Shaver, P. R., & Vernon, M. L. (2003). Physical, emotional, and behavioral reactions to breaking up: the roles of gender, age, emotional involvement, and attachment style. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(7), 871–884. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167203029007006.CrossRefPubMed

Dykas, M. J., & Cassidy, J. (2011). Attachment and the processing of social information across the life span: theory and evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 137(1), 19–46. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021367.CrossRefPubMed

Evans, M. D. R., & Kelley, J. (2004). Effect of family structure on life satisfaction: australian evidence. Social Indicators Research, 69(3), 303–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-004-5578-9.CrossRef

Fagundes, C. P. (2011). Getting over you: contributions of attachment theory for postbreakup emotional adjustment. Personal Relationships, 19(1), 37–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01336.x.CrossRef

Feeney, J. A. (2005). Hurt feelings in couple relationships: exploring the role of attachment and perceptions of personal injury. Personal Relationships, 12(2), 253–271. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1350-4126.2005.00114.x.CrossRef

Feeney, B. C., & Monin, J. K. (2016). An attachment-theoretical perspective on divorce. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds), Handbook of attachment: theory, research, and clinical applications. 3rd. (pp. 934–957). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Fraley, R. C., & Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Attachment and loss: a test of three competing models on the association between attachment-related avoidance and adaptation to bereavement. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30(7), 878–890. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167204264289.CrossRefPubMed

Freedman, S., & Knupp, A. (2003). The impact of forgiveness on adolescent adjustment to parental divorce. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 39(1–2), 135–165. https://doi.org/10.1300/j087v39n01_08.CrossRef

Garrido-Rojas, L., Guzmán-González, M., & Rivera-Ottenberger, D. (2016). Romantic attachment and adjustment to divorce and separation in a Chilean adult sample. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 57(8), 573–585. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2016.1233852.CrossRef

Gilbert, S. P., & Sifers, S. K. (2011). Bouncing back from a breakup: attachment, time perspective, mental health, and romantic loss. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 25(4), 295–310. https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2011.605693.CrossRef

Guzmán-González, M., Barraza, M. A., Bastías, F., Bustamente, D., & Ojeda, M. F. (2018). Propiedades Psicométricas del Test de Ajuste Psicológico a la Separación en personas separadas y divorciadas Chilenas [Psychometric properties of the Psychological Adjustment to Separation Test in divorced and separated Chileans]. Terapia Psicológica, 36(2), 113–122.CrossRef

Guzmán-González, M., Rivera-Ottenberger, D., Bassard, A., Spencer, R., & Lafontaine, M.-F. (2018). The brief Spanish version of the Experiences in Close Relationships: a measure of romantic attachment. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Guzmán-González, M., Rivera-Ottenberger, D., Garrido, L., Contreras, P., & Yárnoz, S. (2019). Estructura factorial, invarianza métrica y propiedades psicométricas de la versión chilena del Cuestionario de Perdón a la ex pareja [Factorial Structure, metric invariance and psychometric properties of the Chilean version of the Forgiveness of the former partner]. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Guzmán, M., Santelices, M. P., & Trabucco, C. (2015). Apego y perdón en el contexto de las relaciones de pareja (Attachment and forgiveness in the context of couple relationships). Terapia Psicológica, 33(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-48082015000100004.CrossRef

Hambleton, R. K., Merenda, P. F., & Spielberg, C. D. (2005). Adapting educational and psychological test for cross-cultural assessment. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Halford, W. K., & Sweeper, S. (2013). Trajectories of adjustment to couple relationship separation. Family Process, 52(2), 228–243. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12006.CrossRefPubMed

Kimmes, J. G., & Durtschi, J. A. (2016). Forgiveness in romantic relationships: the roles of attachment, empathy, and attributions. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42(4), 645–658. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12171.CrossRefPubMed

Kobak, R. R., & Sceery, A. (1988). Attachment in late adolescence: working models, affect regulation, and representations of self and others. Child Development, 59, 135–146. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130395.CrossRefPubMed

Luchies, L. B., Finkel, E. J., McNulty, J. K., & Kumashiro, M. (2010). The doormat effect: when forgiving erodes self-respect and self-concept clarity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(5), 734–749. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017838.CrossRefPubMed

McCullough, M. E., Rachal, K. C., Sandage, S. J., Worthington, Jr., E. L., Brown, S. W., & Hight, T. L. (1998). Interpersonal forgiving in close relationships: II. Theoretical elaboration and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75, 1586–1603. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.75.6.1586.CrossRefPubMed

McCullough, M. E, Root, L. M, Tabak, B., & Witvliet, C. V. O. (2009). In S. J. Lopez, C. R. Snyder, (Eds) Forgiveness. Handbook of positive psychology. 2nd ed. pp. 427–435). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Mikulincer, M., & Florian, V. (1996). Emotional reactions to interpersonal losses over the life span: an attachment theoretical perspective. In C. Magai & S. H. McFadden (Eds), Handbook of emotion, adult development, and aging (pp. 269–285). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.CrossRef

Mikulincer, M., Gillath, O., & Shaver, P. R. (2002). Activation of the attachment system in adulthood: threat-related primes increase the accessibility of mental representations of attachment figures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(4), 881–895. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.83.4.881.CrossRefPubMed

Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R., & Slav, K. (2006). Attachment, mental representations of others, and gratitude and forgiveness in romantic relationships. In M. Mikulincer & G. S. Goodman (Eds), Dynamics of romantic love: attachment, caregiving, and sex (pp. 190–215). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2016). Attachment in adulthood: structure, dynamics, and change. 2nd ed. New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (2012). Mplus user’s guide. 7th ed. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.

Owen, J., & Rhoades, G. K. (2012). Reducing interparental conflict among parents in contentious child custody disputes: an initial investigation of the working together program. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(3), 542–555. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2010.00215.x.CrossRefPubMed

Rodríguez, R (2011). Apoyo social y ajuste psicosocial post divorcio en adultos de Monterrey, México: Explorando el papel del tiempo, fuentes y tipos de apoyo.Monterrey, México: Universidad Autónoma de nuevo León. Unpublished doctoral dissertation.

Rye, M. S., Fleri, A. M., Moore, C. D., Worthington, Jr., E. L., Wade, N. G., Sandage, S. J., & Cook, K. M. (2012). Evaluation of an intervention designed to help divorced parents forgive their ex-spouse. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 53(3), 231–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2012.663275.CrossRef

Rye, M. S., Folck, C. D., Heim, T. A., Olszewski, B. T., & Traina, E. (2004). Forgiveness of an ex-spouse: how does it relate to mental health following a divorce? Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 41(3-4), 31–51. https://doi.org/10.1300/j087v41n03_02.CrossRef

Sbarra, D. A. (2015). Divorce and health: current trends and future directions. Psychosomatic Medicine, 77(3), 227–236. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000168.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Schreiber, J. B., Nora, A., Stage, F. K., Barlow, E. A., & King, J. (2006). Reporting structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis results: a review. The Journal of Educational Research, 99(6), 323–337. https://doi.org/10.3200/joer.99.6.323-338.CrossRef

Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación (2017). Datos registrales con enfoque de género. (Registration data with gender perspective). Región Metropolitana, Chile. Gobierno de Chile. http://www.registrocivil.cl/PortalOI/transparencia/DatoInteresCiudadano/Datos_Registrales_por_Genero_2017_1.pdf.

Spencer, R., Guzmán, M., Fresno, A., & Ramos, N. (2013). Validación chilena del Cuestionario de evaluación del apego romántico Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR): Análisis de la Validez de Criterio. (A Chilean validation of the romantic attachment questionnaire experiences in close relationships (ECR): analysis of criterion validity). Terapia Psicológica, 31, 313–324. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-48082013000300006.CrossRef

Strelan, P., & Covic, T. (2006). A review of forgiveness process models and a coping framework to guide future research. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 25(10), 1059–1085. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2006.25.10.1059.CrossRef

Sweeper, S., & Halford, K. (2006). Assessing adult adjustment to relationship separation: the Psychological Adjustment to Separation Test (PAST). Journal of Family Psychology, 20(4), 632–640. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.20.4.632.CrossRefPubMed

Visser, M., Finkenauer, C., Schoemaker, K., Kluwer, E., Rijken, Rvander, van Lawick, J., & Lamers-Winkelman, F. (2017). I’ll never forgive you: high conflict divorce, social network, and co-parenting conflicts. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(11), 3055–3066. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0821-6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Webb, M., Call, S., Chickering, S. A., Colburn, T. A., & Heisler, D. (2006). Dispositional forgiveness and adult attachment styles. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146(4), 509–512. https://doi.org/10.3200/SOCP.146.4.509-512.CrossRefPubMed

Wilson, T., Milosevic, A., Carroll, M., Hart, K., & Hibbard, S. (2008). Physical health status in relation to self-forgiveness and other-forgiveness in healthy college students. Journal of Health Psychology, 13(6), 798–803. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105308093863.CrossRefPubMed

Worthington, E. L., & Sandage, S. J. (2016). Forgiveness and spirituality in psychotherapy: a relational approach. Washington: American Psychological Association.CrossRef

Yárnoz-Yaben, S. (2009). Forgiveness, attachment, and divorce. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 50(4), 282–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502550902775952.CrossRef

Yárnoz-Yaben, S. (2010). Attachment style and adjustment to divorce. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 13(1), 210–219. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1138741600003796.CrossRefPubMed

Yárnoz-Yaben, S. (2015). Forgiveness, adjustment to divorce and support from the former spouse in Spain. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(2), 289–297. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9835-x.CrossRef

Yárnoz-Yaben, S., & Comino, P. (2012). Un instrumento para la evaluación del perdón en el ámbito del divorcio y la separación (An instrument for the evaluation of forgiveness in divorce and separation). International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 12(1), 49–58.

Yárnoz-Yaben, S., Garmendia, A., & Comino, P. (2016). Looking at the bright side: forgiveness and subjective well-being in divorced Spanish parents. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(5), 1905–1919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-015-9677-x.CrossRef

Titel: Romantic Attachment and Adjustment to Separation: The Role of Forgiveness of the Former Partner
Auteurs: Mónica Guzmán-González
Anna Wlodarczyk
Paula Contreras
Diana Rivera-Ottenberger
Lusmenia Garrido
Publicatiedatum: 28-05-2019
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 11/2019
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01476-8

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

Abstract

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

Log in om toegang te krijgen

Andere artikelen Uitgave 11/2019

Relations of Emotion Regulation, Negative and Positive Affect to Anxiety and Depression in Middle Childhood

A Novel Intervention for Child Peer Relationship Difficulties: The Secret Agent Society

Emotion Regulation and Parent Distress: Getting at the Heart of Sensitive Parenting among Parents of Preschool Children Experiencing High Sociodemographic Risk

Father–Adolescent Conflict and Adolescent Symptoms: The Moderating Roles of Father Residential Status and Type

Building Resilience in Transcultural Adolescents: an Evaluation of a Group Program

Integrating Work and Family Responsibilities: Experiences of Fathers of Children with Special Health Care Needs