Clarifying the mediating role of coping skills in the relationship between attachment styles and resilience

Dissertation for Master's degree (M.A)

Orientation: General

Abstract:

Topic: Explaining the mediating role of coping skills in the relationship between attachment styles and resilience

This study examined the mediating role of coping skills in the relationship between attachment styles and resilience. The investigated sample was 250 male and female high school students of Arsanjan city, using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. The research participants completed Endler and Parker coping skills questionnaire, Hazan and Shaver attachment style questionnaire and Connor and Davidson resilience questionnaire. The hypothetical model was analyzed by using sequential and simultaneous regression and by applying the steps proposed by Baron and Kenny. The results of the findings based on the research hypothesis showed that: all dimensions of attachment styles predict resilience. Also, coping skills can predict resilience. Finally, the findings of the research confirmed the mediating role of coping skills in the relationship between attachment styles and resilience. These findings confirm the main hypothesis of the research regarding the relationship between the structures of attachment styles, coping skills and resilience. Keywords: coping skills, attachment styles, resilience Affection and love were relied upon, and psychologists have not emphasized much on helping people to be happier, more evolved, more altruistic, more hopeful, more loving, and more optimistic (Seligman, 2009). Today, in contrast to this trend, the approach of positive psychology [1] has emerged, which examines human strengths and perfections (Seligman, Vesix Zentamihali, 2000). Positive psychology has a short history (less than a decade) and a long past (since the works of Greek philosophers and Eastern sages) (Peterson, 2006). The positive psychology approach considers human talents and abilities instead of dealing with abnormalities and disorders as its ultimate goal to identify the structures and methods that lead to the well-being and happiness of humans. One of the most important developments in the second half of the 20th century is the emergence of theories that emphasize the role of higher processes that are effective in controlling and guiding cognitive processes. At the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, the entry of the construct of resilience into the literature of evolutionary psychology can be considered as a new revolution in the attitude of psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists and help-seekers, in such a way that before, children and adolescents who were exposed to abuse or had experienced adverse life conditions, had a dark and not so pleasant future. But the identification of resilience created a transformative and hopeful vision for building the future of these children and teenagers and saving the adults. Resilience is one of the factors that make a person adapt more and more to the needs and threats of life and is closely related to mental health. Due to the impact that resilience has on mental health, it has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years (Friburg, Martinussen, Rooz-Noving, Barlag and Medal [2], 2005). Therefore, the factors that explain the adaptation of a person to the needs and threats of life are the most fundamental structures under research (Samani, Jokar and Sohra Gard, 2016). Among these, resilience[3] is one of the constructs that has found a special place in the field of psychological research, especially in the field of health psychology, family psychology, developmental psychology, and mental health, so that the number of researches related to this construct is increasing every day (Campsells, Cohen and Stein, 2006). Rutter (1985). It states that one of the important factors that helps people to deal with and adapt to problems and stressful situations and helps them against pathological disorders and life issues is resilience (Pain Kivert, 2009, Garmzi, 1993). Resilience is one of the fundamental structures of personality, which includes individual capabilities in confronting, withdrawing and resuming effort and dealing with problems (Khazaili, 2016). Resilience, in simple terms, is a successful adaptation despite the presence of threats and adverse environmental conditions in which a person lives.In fact, resilience is a positive adaptation in response to adverse conditions (Garmazi and Masten, 1994). Therefore, by increasing resistance and resilience in teenagers and young people, it is possible to prevent a lot of injuries that are lurking in them. Based on this, the current research seeks to discover and recognize some of the possible causes of resilience in order to help increase such behavior. 2-1- Statement of the problem: "Why and how can some people maintain their effectiveness in dealing with adverse [4] and stressful situations, while others lose hope?" How do some believe they can change the situation? What factors enable them to achieve positive adaptation in crisis situations? Such questions have occupied the minds of many people. Undoubtedly, the future success of any country depends on increased investment in raising better and more efficient children. For this reason, it seems necessary to increase research in the field of resilience and child development and to pay attention to the necessity of preventive interventions. Some characteristics are potentially deposited in people, but their emergence and promotion requires more detailed knowledge, cultivation and application of them. Among these characteristics, resilience can be mentioned. On the other hand, due to the fact that resilience has a special place in the fields of developmental psychology, family psychology and mental health, for this reason, how to create this characteristic and, in other words, make people resilient, is one of the main concerns of psychologists active in this field. Because increased resilience leads to a healthier society. In line with this issue, people such as Anzalichit, Aronson, Good and Mackay [5] (2006) have considered resilience to reduce anxiety and depression. According to them, resilient people can overcome all kinds of adverse effects and maintain their mental health. As a result, a high level of resilience reduces emotional problems and creates mental health in a person (Samani et al., 2016). Resilience is the ability to overcome events with a lot of burden and psychological pressure (including severe injuries, death, disaster, economic loss, political turmoil and cultural changes) and maintaining mental health and psychological vitality despite facing unpleasant events (Aghaibi [6], 2005). In fact, resilience is generally considered as a trait related to character, personality and ability to cope, which implies ability, flexibility, ability to dominate or return to normal after facing severe stress and challenge (Lazarus [7] and Falkman [8], 1984). Some researches have also shown a significant negative relationship between resilience and tenacity with anxiety and depression, and they say that resilient people can overcome all kinds of adverse effects (Anzlicht [9], Arneson [10], Goode [11] and McKee [12], 2006). Also, Samani, Jokar and Sahragerd (2006) reported a direct and meaningful relationship between self-resilience and life satisfaction. Psychological disorders constitute a wide range of childhood problems, the prevalence of which can depend on the type of family. Bowlby believes that what is necessary for a child's mental health is to experience an intimate, warm and continuous relationship with the mother or her permanent substitute. In his opinion, many forms of mental disorders and personality disorders are the result of the child's deprivation of maternal care or the instability of the child's relationship with the attachment figure (Bowlby, 1969).  Research reveals that people who show less signs of psychological anxiety and worry in the face of problems and dangers are considered to be resilient people (Damont, 1999). Resilience refers to the ability of humans to adapt in the face of disasters or life-threatening pressures, to overcome and even be strengthened by those experiences. On the other hand, this characteristic is supported, developed and crystallized as a positive characteristic by the person's inner ability and interaction with the environment and family (Diener, Lucas, Shimek and Halilol, 2009). Warm-blooded and interested parents who create fixed limits and boundaries promote resilience in children (Masten et al., 1998, quoted by Alvard and Grados, 2005). Kwon [13] et al. (1996) lists the characteristics of resilient children as soft temperament, high intelligence, a strong bond between parents and children, a sense of parental sufficiency, parents with mental health, a sense of competence on the part of the child, real control, empathy, and the ability to solve social problems. Resilience is a dynamic process that is greatly influenced by protective factors. Protective factors are special capabilities that are necessary for resilience to occur.