The Effects of Fearful vs. Dismissive Avoidance on Relationship Satisfaction in Gay and Lesbian Individuals: Early Maladaptive Schemas as a Mediating Factor
Faculty Mentor
Lisa Samstag
Major/Area of Research
Psychology
Description
Research suggests that avoidant attachment plays an important role in the unique mental health and relational challenges faced by sexual minorities; however, few studies investigate differences between dismissive and fearful avoidant attachment in gay and lesbian individuals. The aim of the current study is to explore the mechanisms by which different types of attachment avoidance impact relationship satisfaction in gay and lesbian individuals. A sample of 262 gay- and lesbian-identifying participants between 18 and 69 years of age (M = 35.42, SD = 9.69) were recruited online and completed a series of questionnaires about their attachment style, relationship satisfaction, and early maladaptive schemas (EMS). We hypothesized that the relationship between dismissive avoidant attachment and relationship satisfaction would be significantly mediated by a) disconnection and rejection EMS and b) impaired limits EMS. Conversely, we hypothesized that the relationship between fearful avoidant attachment and relationship satisfaction would be significantly mediated by a) disconnection and rejection EMS and b) over-vigilance and inhibition EMS. Significant paths were found from both fearful and dismissive avoidance to decreased relationship satisfaction by disconnection and rejection EMS; however, neither over-vigilance and inhibition EMS nor impaired limits EMS mediated the relationship between types of avoidance and relationship satisfaction. Results and implications are dis- cussed.
The Effects of Fearful vs. Dismissive Avoidance on Relationship Satisfaction in Gay and Lesbian Individuals: Early Maladaptive Schemas as a Mediating Factor
Research suggests that avoidant attachment plays an important role in the unique mental health and relational challenges faced by sexual minorities; however, few studies investigate differences between dismissive and fearful avoidant attachment in gay and lesbian individuals. The aim of the current study is to explore the mechanisms by which different types of attachment avoidance impact relationship satisfaction in gay and lesbian individuals. A sample of 262 gay- and lesbian-identifying participants between 18 and 69 years of age (M = 35.42, SD = 9.69) were recruited online and completed a series of questionnaires about their attachment style, relationship satisfaction, and early maladaptive schemas (EMS). We hypothesized that the relationship between dismissive avoidant attachment and relationship satisfaction would be significantly mediated by a) disconnection and rejection EMS and b) impaired limits EMS. Conversely, we hypothesized that the relationship between fearful avoidant attachment and relationship satisfaction would be significantly mediated by a) disconnection and rejection EMS and b) over-vigilance and inhibition EMS. Significant paths were found from both fearful and dismissive avoidance to decreased relationship satisfaction by disconnection and rejection EMS; however, neither over-vigilance and inhibition EMS nor impaired limits EMS mediated the relationship between types of avoidance and relationship satisfaction. Results and implications are dis- cussed.