Abstract
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
Attachment theory has become one of the major developmental theories of the last 50 years, influencing scientists and practitioners alike. Attachment theory has focused on the emotional bond emerging during the first year of life between infants and their caregiver(s). The attachment style that develops can influence an individual’s future relationships, self-worth, emotion regulation and coping strategies. Furthermore, attachment styles can impact how an individual experiences a trauma and the aftermath thereof. Traumatic events can result in the development of posttraumatic symptoms, distress, and depression; however traumatic events can also lead to a positive transformation, known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). PTG can lead to positive changes in perceptions of the self, in relationships, and towards personal development. Although research has found that attachment styles may predict PTG, the literature is limited, particularly within South Africa. The current study aimed to investigate whether attachment styles could predict significant variance in PTG. The sample consisted of undergraduate students from a South African university who had experienced a traumatic event. An online survey consisting of a biographical questionnaire, the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) was made available via the university’s online student portal. Data were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression analyses to examine whether attachment styles were predictors of PTG. The results revealed that an anxious attachment style was a significant negative predictor of PTG. Additionally, amongst the five domains of PTG, an anxious...