Beyond the global attachment model: domain- and relationship-specific attachment models at work and their functions

Abstract

IntroductionSince prior research has shown the importance of specific attachment models, we wanted to explore specific adult attachments (colleagues, leader, and workplace) in the working setting. The study aimed to investigate the position of specific adult attachments in the attachment hierarchy and their associations with various organizational variables. Finally, we assumed that dimensions of the colleagues-domain attachment model would cluster into attachment types at work, according to secure, preoccupied, and avoidant attachment orientations.MethodsWe carried out cross-sectional time-lagged research design. The sample consisted of 1,352 participants based on convenience and voluntary sampling procedures. Participants aged 18–78 worked in various work teams and positions. The battery consisted of the Adult Attachment in the Workplace Questionnaire, the Workplace Attachment Styles Questionnaire, the Scale of Belonging to the Organization, the Leader as Security Provider Scale, the shortened Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire, the Czech Leadership Questionnaire, the Citizenship Organizational Behavior Questionnaire, the General Work Performance questionnaire, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Data were analyzed in JASP 0.16.3 and IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Among other statistical methods, we performed factor analysis and two-step cluster analysis. The alpha level for statistical testing was set to 0.05.ResultsThe results show that the work-specific attachment models differ from the romantic domain attachment model. Moreover, the work-specific attachment models also differ among themselves. Depending on the attachment to colleagues, it is possible to distinguish two attachment orientations (secure and insecure) among working adults. These two types differ in all the variables studied (relationships with colleagues, romantic partners, belonging to people and place, and performance).ConclusionThe study advances our knowledge of attachment working models and their application in the organizational context. We confirmed hierarchical attachment mental presentations and show the distinction in attachment working models at work. Colleagues and leaders form two separate domains within the workplace. Attachment to a leader is associated with the leadership style and secure workplace attachment. Attachment to colleagues might be more important in insecure workplace attachment and insecure belonging. Fostering secure attachment at work might bring together more positive outcomes for the company regarding performance and relationships at work.

Attachment in the Workplace Questionnaire – First Psychometric Results

“…All the items in the factor relate to the leader's figure, none to the colleagues. This result is in line with Greškovičová and Lisá (2023).…”

“…Mental representations of attachment models can overlap, but they are still different (Dugan et al, 2022;Klohnen et al, 2005;Lisá & Greškovičová, 2022;Overall et al, 2003). In the work context, the domain-specific models of work relationships are different from other domain models (Greškovičová & Lisá, 2023). The attachment models within one domain of working relationships also differ (e.g., relationships with colleagues and the leader).…”

“…There are several measurement tools for attachment in the workplace available. The Adult Attachment in the Workplace Questionnaire (AAW; Neustadt & Furnham, 2006;Scrima et al, 2014;Greškovičová & Lisá, 2023) measures two/three orientations of attachment towards significant others in the workplace. Significant other at work in AAW is considered the object of attachment.…”

Attachment in Young Adults and Life Satisfaction at Age 30: A Birth Cohort Study

“…Approaches to increasing relational confidence and attachment security can be implemented in a range of settings that extend beyond 1:1 therapy (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2020). Attachment style can affect educational outcomes (Wang et al, 2021), work performance (Greškovičová & Lisá, 2023) and health (Pietromonaco & Beck, 2019)-all of which are important factors in life satisfaction.…”

Psychológia Práce a Organizácie 2023

“…Mental representations of attachment models can overlap, but they are still different (Dugan et al, 2022;Klohnen et al, 2005;Lisá & Greškovičová, 2022;Overall et al, 2003). In the work context, the domain-specific models of work relationships are different from other domain models (Greškovičová & Lisá, 2023). The attachment models within one domain of working relationships also differ (e.g., relationships with colleagues and the leader).…”