The relationship between adult attachment style and resilience factors of hope and positive affect

Using a sample of 96 adults from the client base of a community mental health agency, this dissertation study examined the relationship among the following: a) adult attachment styles, b) resilience factors of hope and positive affect, and c) resiliency support and development activities. Specifically, the study was a descriptive quantitative research design consisting of two concurrent parts: (a) Part I---analysis of survey data to determine significant differences in adult attachment styles and resilience levels of hope and positive affect, and (b) Part II---a survey questionnaire designed to gain a better understanding of the types of activities adults participate in supporting and developing resilience. Analysis of the data included the following statistical procedures: (a) Analysis of Variance, or ANOVA; (b) Cohen's Kappa; and (c) Cramer's V. Part I findings indicated that the hope scores for Secure attachment group were significantly higher when compared to the Preoccupied-Avoidant and Fearful-Avoidant attachment style groups. Similarly, findings indicated that the Secure attachment style group yielded significantly higher scores for positive affect than the Fearful-Avoidant attachment group. Part II data analysis found that there were significant differences for identified hope and positive affect support activities frequencies between the Secure and Insecure attachment style groups. However, there were no significant differences for development activities frequencies for hope or positive affect between the Secure and Insecure attachment style groups. A discussion regarding how the findings from the study support therapeutic practices focusing on resilience processes in adults is included.