Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism as Mediators of Adult Attachment Styles and Depression, Hopelessness, and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, anxious and avoidant adult attachment styles, depression, hopelessness, and life satisfaction among a sample of 180 undergraduate students. Maladaptive perfectionism mediated the relationship between both forms of adult attachment and depression, hopelessness, and life satisfaction. Adaptive perfectionism mediated the relationship between avoidant adult attachment and hopelessness and life satisfaction. Implications for counselors and future research directions are discussed.

Attachment, Self-Esteem and Subjective Well-Being Among Survivors of Childhood Sexual Trauma

“…According to the Theory of Well-Being (Lent, 2004), secure attachment will increase an individual's subjective well-being as well as the ability to recover from negative life events and previously damaged well-being. In a study conducted by Gnilka et al, (2013), 190 participants were surveyed to better understand the relationship between depression, hopelessness, life satisfaction and adult attachment. Results from this study indicate that satisfaction and pleasure from life occur when one feels excited about future tasks and goals.…”

“…The purpose of the current study is to analyze the relationship between the intensity of childhood sexual trauma, attachment style and sexual self-esteem on the dependent variable of subjective well-being. The aforementioned research has indicated that secure levels of attachment, lack of sexual trauma during childhood and higher levels of sexual self-esteem will contribute to higher levels of subjective well-being (Gnilka et al, 2013;Hinnen ATTACHMENT, SELF-ESTEEM AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING 9 et al, 2009;Becker-Lausen et al, 1995). First, it was predicted that higher attachment security would be related to greater subjective well-being, based on previous research which found that higher levels of secure attachment were associated with global well-being (La Guardia et al, 2000;Jiang et al, 2013).…”

“…In addition, research has shown that individuals who experience childhood sexual trauma are more likely to have insecure attachment, which is related to lower well-being (Hinnen et al, 2009). Third, it was predicted that higher sexual self-esteem would be related to greater subjective well-being, based on past research that has shown sexual and relationship satisfaction contribute to subjective well-being (Gnilka et al, 2013). According to Lent (2004), factors such as increased self-esteem can contribute to subjective well-being.…”

“…Multiple aspects of an individual's life, including attachment, affect subjective well-being (Hinnen, Sanderman & Sprangers, 2009;Gnilka, Ashby & Noble, 2013). This relationship can be significant, especially in early adolescence (Ma & Hueber, 2008).…”

“…This indicates that an individual's subjective well-being will be associated with his or her sexual self-esteem (Gnilka, Ashby & Noble, 2013). According to Oattes and Offman (2003), an individual's ability to communicate with his or her partner is associated with attachment style.…”