Attachment, Social Support, and Loneliness in Young Adulthood: A Test of Two Models

Abstract

This study tested the validity of two models predicting states of loneliness: the social network mediation model and the cognitive bias model. The social network mediation model posits that personal dispositions influence states of loneliness through various dimensions of the social network. According to the cognitive bias model, states of loneliness are not explained by social network characteristics but rather by a negative cognitive filter related to personality. Unique aspects of the study included testing these two models while selecting attachment security as a personal disposition variable and using reports from participants and friends to assess social support. A new model combining processes outlined in both previous models (which we called the cognitive-network model) was found to be the best representation of our data. Discussion centers on the implications of this model for social support research and interventions.

Construct Validity of the Social Provisions Scale

“…Of the six specific provisions, attachment and social integration have been shown to be the most consistent negative predictors of loneliness (Larose, Guay, & Boivin, 2002;Russell et al, 1984;Vaux, 1988). This is in line with Weiss's (1974) relationship functions theory, which holds that feelings of emotional and social loneliness are a response to the absence of attachment and social integration provisions, respectively.…”

Attachment, Social Network Size, and Patterns of Social Exchange in Later Life

“…Because they are less trusting and have restricted social exploration (Larose, Guay, and Boivin 2002), such individuals may be unwilling to invest dwindling resources in relationships and may therefore have fewer and more complicated relationships, reflected in smaller network sizes. It may be that our findings mirror a lifelong motivational process in which relationships are differentially retained or shed (cf.…”

Transfer of Attachment Functions and Adjustment Among Young Adults in China

“…Since both attachment style and support from various figures have been found to be associated with various psychological outcomes (e.g., Kassel et al, 2007;Larose, Guay & Boivin, 2002;Wei, Vogel, Ku, & Zakalik, 2005), we also investigated whether the extent of attachment transfer would contribute additional prediction beyond the effects of both attachment style and attachment support.…”