Examining the Resilience, Attachment Styles, and Relationship Satisfaction of Adult Children of Alcoholics in Intimate Relationships

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atmire.migration.oldid5026
dc.contributor.advisorCairns, Sharon
dc.contributor.authorYoung, Marley
dc.contributor.committeememberSchwartz, Kelly
dc.contributor.committeememberZwiers, Michael
dc.contributor.committeememberMcLuckie, Alan
dc.contributor.committeememberWoodin, Erica
dc.date.accessioned2016-10-04T16:10:30Z
dc.date.available2016-10-04T16:10:30Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.date.submitted2016en
dc.description.abstractIn conducting research with adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and comparing this population with adult children of non-alcoholics (ACONAs), the majority of studies have identified negative outcomes including increased mood disorders, substance abuse, and significantly more difficulties within interpersonal relationships. Although the majority of extant literature has focused research questions on the deficits that ACOAs manifest, a limited number of studies have found that certain ACOAs are able to adequately cope despite having experienced parental alcoholism. The purpose of the current research was to take a strengths-based approach in examining the resilience, attachment styles, and relationship satisfaction of ACOAs currently in intimate relationships, and gain additional understanding with regard to the resilience levels of ACOAs and their functioning within romantic relationships. Participants were 536 university students who completed a demographic questionnaire along with the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised, Resilience Scale for Adults, and Couples Satisfaction Index. A quantitative research design was employed in order to examine group differences between ACOAs and ACONAs in terms of their levels of resilience, relationship satisfaction, and attachment styles, as well as a more detailed look at which dimensions of resilience may be associated with, and even predict, relationship satisfaction and attachment style. Results indicated that ACOAs reported lower levels of resilience and relationship satisfaction, as well as more insecure attachment styles within intimate relationships, than ACONAs. All resilience subscales were positively correlated with secure attachment and higher relationship satisfaction scores, while ACOAs who reported higher levels of resilience also reported significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction and higher categorization of secure attachment style. Finally, regression analysis determined that the social resources resilience subscale was the only subscale able to predict higher relationship satisfaction scores and secure attachment categorization. Limitations to the study and potential clinical and research implications are discussed, and directions for future research are provided.en_US
dc.identifier.citationYoung, M. (2016). Examining the Resilience, Attachment Styles, and Relationship Satisfaction of Adult Children of Alcoholics in Intimate Relationships (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26030en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26030
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11023/3378
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectEducational Psychology
dc.subjectEducation--Guidance and Counseling
dc.subjectPsychology--Clinical
dc.subjectPsychology--Developmental
dc.subjectPsychology--Social
dc.subject.classificationadult children of alcoholicsen_US
dc.subject.classificationAttachment Theoryen_US
dc.subject.classificationresilienceen_US
dc.subject.classificationrelationship satisfactionen_US
dc.titleExamining the Resilience, Attachment Styles, and Relationship Satisfaction of Adult Children of Alcoholics in Intimate Relationships
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineEducational Psychology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
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