Separating the effect of attachment figure-domain units in IPPA-R using the correlated trait and correlated method minus one model

Using the correlated trait and correlated method minus one model (CT-C(M-1)), this study separated trait effects and trait method-specific effects of attachment figure-domain units in the IPPA-R. The model fit of the proposed model was examined and compared with those of other alternative models using a sample of 1290 adolescents from China. Results indicated that models specifying attachment domains across relationships as methods fitted data better than models specifying attachment domains across relationships as traits in the CT-C(M-1) model. In addition, the factor representing attachment-with-mother was found to significantly predict anxiety, stress, and social efficacy, whereas the attachment-with-father factor was a significant predictor of social self-efficacy, both of which supported the differential functioning of mother and father. Results suggest that the CT-C(M-1) model is a promising approach to separate the unique contributions of different attachment figures and relationship attachment domain-specific effect measured by IPPA-R.

Attachment Avoidance Moderates the Relationship Among Acceptance of Sugar Relationships, Motivation, and Self-Esteem

A sugar relationship is a monetary-based liaison between a wealthier older and an attractive younger person, the latter receiving expensive gifts or financial compensation in exchange for her or his sexual companionship. Attachment, motivation, and self-esteem are all integrative parts of adult romantic and sexual relationships. There is relatively little empirical research on the psychological correlates of accepting attitudes toward sugar relationships. The research aimed to explore the relationship among the acceptance of sugar relationship, attachment (avoidance and anxiety), motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic), and self-esteem. A total of 2,409 Hungarian adults including 1,980 younger participants (1,804 women, 175 men, mean age = 21.17) and 429 older participants (290 men, 138 women, mean age = 48.86) completed an online test battery comprising four self-report measures. In the younger subsample, the only significant association obtained for the acceptance of sugar relationships was its positive correlation with extrinsic motivation. In the older subsample, the acceptance of sugar relationships was positively correlated with all tested variables except self-esteem. Subsequent analysis revealed that attachment avoidance but not anxiety moderated the associations between the variables. Among younger participants, the negative effect of self-esteem and intrinsic motivation on accepting sugar relationships decreased with increasing attachment avoidance. Among older participants, the positive effect of extrinsic motivation on accepting sugar relationships decreased with increasing attachment avoidance. The results are discussed with regard to relational and sexual goals associated with adult attachment orientations.

The Neural Correlates of Product Attachment to Cosmetics: Is It Similar to That of Attachment in Human Relationships?

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the similarities in the attachment toward individual's favorite cosmetics and beloved person, both of which are reinforced by touch-driven behaviors. We conducted 2 (visual and visual with tactile) × 2 (preferred and non-preferred cosmetics) experiments. Thereafter, we set regions of interest as per previous studies of human relationship attachment and tested their significance. The hippocampus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), putamen, periaqueductal gray (PAG), dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), and ventral tegmental area were activated in the visual with tactile session, but not in the visual session, revealing that common brain regions are activated in human relationship attachment and attachment to cosmetics, and that tactile cue is important for attachment to cosmetics. Moreover, the PAG showed an interactive effect between tactile cue and preference, and the DRN positively correlated with "security" feeling associated with attachment. Activity in these regions was positively correlated with activity of the PCC and primary somatosensory cortex. This suggests that tactile discriminative cues induce the individual's autobiographical memories of using the cosmetics daily, and the DRN and PAG are activated in association with these memories. These serotonergic and oxytocinergic activities may be critical for the maintenance of attachment to cosmetics.

Shame, Family Honor, and Dating Abuse: Lessons From an Exploratory Study of South Asian Muslims

Generally, South Asian Muslim communities reject dating and view it as shameful. Despite this, many South Asian Muslims still engage in dating. These traditional norms, however, remain influential and a part of the cultural context in which dating abuse occurs. This exploratory study examines South Asian Muslims’ perceptions of how cultural norms forbidding dating and constructing it as shameful may affect women’s experiences of dating abuse. Findings indicate these cultural norms may prompt fear of parental and community reactions to dating as well as strong relationship attachment. These then have implications for disclosure, help seeking, and ending abusive relationships.

What Mentees Bring: Relationship Characteristics Pre-Mentoring and Mentoring Relationship Satisfaction

A critical mechanism through which mentors are thought to influence developmental outcomes is the mentee-mentor relationship. Attachment theories suggest that a mentee’s perceptions of other relationships in her life may impact the quality of the mentor-mentee relationship. This study tests this hypothesis. Data were drawn from a sample of 205 early adolescent girls who received a college-aged mentor through the Young Women Leaders Program for one academic year. In this exploratory study, we examine the association between mentees’ relationship characteristics (i.e., perceptions of, feelings about maternal and peer relationships) and mentoring relationship satisfaction. Results of multiple linear regressions revealed that less maternal quality communication and trust was associated with lower quality mentoring relationships (β = .258, p < .05). Higher levels of maternal alienation were associated with higher quality mentoring relationships (β = .241, p < .05). Results can inform mentor training to support strong mentoring relationships with girls experiencing a variety of attachment-related challenges with their mothers.

Predictors of Sibling Victimization and Associations With Self-Perception and Relationship Attachment in Adolescence

Research shows that sibling victimization may be as detrimental to adolescent outcomes as peer victimization. However, many questions remain unanswered with regard to protective parenting factors and consequences of sibling victimization among adolescents. This study tested a mediation model in which sibling victimization, predicted by parental monitoring, is associated with parent and peer-adolescent attachment as mediated through adolescent self-perceptions of social competence and self-worth. A three path mediation from parental monitoring → sibling victimization → adolescent self-perceptions → peer-/parent-adolescent attachment was tested. Structural equation modeling results revealed that parental monitoring was negatively associated with sibling victimization for girls. For boys and girls, sibling victimization had negative direct and indirect effects on parent- and peer-adolescent attachment via adolescent self-perceptions of social competence and self-worth. Findings suggest that parental monitoring may be important in the prevention of sibling victimization and self-perceptions may be an important point of intervention for adolescents experiencing sibling victimization.

Musician interaction via social networking sites

Social network sites (SNS) allow for interaction between musicians and fans, including parasocial relationships. The present research approaches the topic from the perspective of psychology and particularly previous research concerning attachment styles, celebrity interest, and their correlates. Using an online survey ( N = 464), we considered whether psychological variables could predict whether individuals interact with musicians on SNS, and their opinions about doing so. Findings demonstrate that users’ celebrity attitudes and relationship attachment styles are important in predicting the extent to which they utilize SNS to interact with musicians. Therefore, it seems that SNS music fan behaviors have an overtly psychological component, such that further research might adopt a psychological rather than technological approach in predicting commercial usage.