| The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of attachment style to workplace communication strategies and coping styles. The sample consisted of 169 participants recruited from business, non-profit, and educational organizations and graduate psychology classes at an urban university.;The Attachment Style Questionnaire (Feeney, Noller & Hanrahan, 1994) was used to assess attachment dimensions. The Organizational Communication Conflict Instrument (Putnam & Wilson, 1982) was used to identify communication strategies and the Coping Styles Questionnaire (Roger, Jarvis & Najarian, 1993) was used to assess coping styles. The Work Group Climate Measure (Burke, 1990) measured dimensions of work environment. The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Form C) (Reynolds, 1982) was used to control for social desirability. Demographic information regarding work experience, including current stress level and degree of job satisfaction was obtained.;Correlation and regression analyses showed that attachment style was significantly related to both communication strategies and coping styles. Attachment measured continuously allowed for a more in-depth examination of the influence of attachment style on workplace behavior. People who preferred Confidence attachment (the secure attachment style) were inclined to engage in collaborative communication strategies; those preferring one of the insecure attachment styles were more likely to engage in less adaptive strategies, and were somewhat differentiated in terms of preferred maladaptive communication strategies. Secure attachment style was not significantly related to choice of coping strategies; however, differentiation across insecure attachment style preferences was noted. Individuals preferring one of the anxious attachment styles were significantly more likely to use emotional coping strategies and less likely to utilize adaptive coping styles.;Work group climate did not significantly affect the relationship between attachment style and choice of communication or coping strategies. To varying degrees depending on attachment style preference, stress level was significantly related to use of communication strategies and job satisfaction to use of coping strategies.;Limitations of the study were discussed as well as implications for theory and application to the workplace, especially managerial practices. Suggestions for future research were provided. |
