Tracing Relations Between Attachment, Social Media Use, Self-Esteem, Loneliness, and Depression: A Mediation Model

An extensive amount of correlational research has well-established the link between insecure attachment style and subsequent adverse interpersonal and psychopathological outcomes. Moreover, the rise of social media has precipitated a shift in the methods by which individuals communicate; consequently, this has resulted in the shifting of preexisting dispositions toward dysfunctional behaviors to a more ubiquitous route of manifestation. Given that attachment literature has indicated notable differences in both underlying mechanisms and resulting outcomes of both avoidant and anxious attachment, examination of this alongside social media use provides valuable insight into potential relationships between the two. Further, research has examined the implications of each of these constructs in relation to self-esteem and loneliness; however, despite the extensive research, there remains a lack of consensus on the positive or negative implications of these interactions. Accordingly, much of the previous literature has neglected to examine the potential psychopathological implications following the combination of each of these constructs. A series of regression analyses revealed significant indirect effects between attachment style and depression. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between best friend attachment anxiety and social media usage; further examination revealed notable significant mediating roles of both self-esteem and loneliness in the indirect relationship between insecure attachment style and depression. Collectively, these findings not only extend research’s understanding of the complex dynamics amongst these variables, but it also advocates the value of further research into attachment style-specific outcomes

The prevalence and psychosocial correlates of British athletes' eating psychopathology

Eating disorders pose long-lasting physiological and psychological consequences, and have one of the highest mortality rates amongst mental illnesses (Harris & Barraclough, 1998). In recent years, athletes have been frequently identified as at more risk of developing eating disorders, and problematic eating attitudes and behaviours than the general population (e.g., Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, 2004). Athletes with eating disorders not only risk compromising their performance, but also their health and general wellbeing (Currie & Morse, 2005). Therefore, the identification of the prevalence, as well as the potential factors that is likely to contribute to eating disorders in athletes present a valuable avenue for research. The first study of this thesis examined the prevalence of potential eating disordered cases amongst a sample of elite, developmental, and recreational British athletes, as well as a control group of British non-athletes. Gender and sport type differences between and within these aforementioned performance standards were also examined in this study. Results demonstrated that while recreational athletes and non-athletes reported greater disturbed eating psychopathology, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of probable cases of eating disorder between elite, developmental, recreational, and non-athletes. However, there was a trend for a higher number of non-athletes and recreational athletes (males and females, regardless of sport type) to be classified as potential cases with clinical eating disorders. In addition, a higher number of females from the elite and non-athlete performance standards were classified as eating disordered than their respective male counterparts. Thus, these findings provide evidence to suggest that eating disorders pose a cause for concern in less competitive athletes and those that do not engage in organised sport at all. Guided by the established maintenance factors associated with eating disorders within the general population (see Fairburn, Cooper, & Shafran, 2003), Studies 2 and 3 reflect a series of cross-sectional investigations aimed to test the association between a range of interpersonal difficulties and eating psychopathology. These studies were designed to fill the iv gap in the current eating disorder literature by examining multiple pathways between both situational (i.e., relationship quality with parents, coaches, and teammates) and dispositional interpersonal difficulties (i.e., attachment styles) and eating psychopathology via the mediating variables of perfectionism, self-esteem and depression. Mediational analyses in Study 2 revealed that relationship quality with parents and coaches as defined by social support, interpersonal conflict, and insecure attachment styles were indirectly related to athletes‟ eating psychopathology via the mediating roles self-critical perfectionism, selfesteem, and depression. However, the quality of relationship with teammates was not associated to athletes‟ eating psychopathology. Study 3 further examined the association between eating psychopathology and situational interpersonal difficulties (i.e., relationship quality with mother, father, and coaches), as well as dispositional interpersonal difficulties (i.e., social anxiety and loneliness) among a sample of athletes and non-athletes. Mediational analyses revealed that the quality of the relationship with the father, and levels of loneliness were indirectly related to athletes‟ eating psychopathology via the mediating role of depression, while social anxiety was found to be both directly and indirectly related (via depression) to athletes‟ eating psychopathology. In the case of non-athletes, the quality of the relationship with both the mother and the father, levels of social anxiety and loneliness were indirectly related to eating psychopathology via the mediating role of depression, self-esteem, and self-critical perfectionism. Furthermore, this study provided evidence to suggest that dispositional interpersonal difficulties may be more robust independent predictors of athletes‟ and non-athletes‟ eating psychopathology than situational interpersonal difficulties (i.e., relationship quality with significant others). Collectively these studies suggest that the psychosocial mechanisms hypothesised to be involved in eating disorders within the general population closely resemble that of athletes. Employing a prospective research design, Study 4 examined the predictive role of situational and dispositional interpersonal difficulties in athletes‟ eating psychopathology. Conducted over a 6 month period, the findings of this study revealed that only situational interpersonal difficulties as reflected in the quality of the relationship with coaches and teammates were associated to athletes‟ eating psychopathology, over and above their initial eating psychopathology. Moreover, the study highlighted interpersonal conflict within the coach-athlete relationship as the only independent predictor of athletes‟ eating v psychopathology. Therefore suggesting that conflict with the coach should be considered as a potential risk factor in the development of eating disorders amongst athletes. The final study tested the main constructs underlying the transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural theory of eating disorders (Fairburn et al., 2003) within an athletic population. Results revealed that elevated eating psychopathology may arise from an interaction of “interpersonal difficulties”, low self-esteem, high levels of self-critical perfectionism, and depressive symptoms. Moreover, findings of this study demonstrated that the tested model is invariant across athletes‟ sport type and performance standard, but not across gender. Thus suggesting that the psychosocial processes involved in eating disorders are the same regardless of the type of sport, and the performance standard that an athlete competes in. Overall, the findings of the current research revealed that while the prevalence of eating disorders may be considerably lower within the British athletic population than the general population, there is still cause for concern, given the high prevalence detected in recreational athletes, as well as the high number of competitive athletes engaging in inappropriate compensatory weight control behaviours (i.e., excessive exercise and selfinduced vomiting). Moreover, the results of the latter studies suggest that psychosocial factors are important and pertinent factors to consider in the aetiology of eating disorders amongst athletes. As a whole, this thesis makes a significant contribution to furthering our understanding of the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of eating psychopathology amongst British athletes

The Relationship Between Narcissism Attachment Styles and the Response to Social Media

Previous research suggests that narcissism is correlated with higher social media use and that self-esteem motivates this use. Additionally, research suggests that individuals with anxious or avoidant attachment styles have “self object” needs that are fulfilled through interactions with others. In the current research, we examined the correlation between narcissism and social media use, as well as the correlation between attachment style and social media use. Participants were given questionnaires to measure narcissism, attachment style, social media use, and self-esteem. Participants were also assigned to one of three feedback conditions, positive, neutral, or negative, on a social media site. Results indicated that participants with anxious, avoidant or insecure attachment style reported significantly lower levels of self-esteem in response to neutral and negative feedback than did participants without avoidant, anxious, or secure attachment styles. The research therefore provides evidence that attachment style may predict self-esteem levels in response to social media feedback

Examining the predictors of loneliness levels of university students

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine to what extent loneliness levels of university students are predicted by their attachment styles, strategies of coping with stress, gender, grade levels and socio-economic levels. The study group consists of 249 students at the Faculty of Education of a private university in TRNC in the academic year 2008-2009. The data of the research are obtained through the use of Relationship Scale Questionnaire (RSQ), UCLA Loneliness Scale and The Coping Strategy Scale (CSS). In the analysis of the data, Multiple Regression Analysis is used. The results of the study indicate significant relationships among almost all the variables

The psycho-educational value of friendship amongst adolescents

The focus of this dissertation revolved around the phenomenon of friendship, specifically amongst adolescents. Friendship is a universal phenomenon, that occurs in every race, culture and religion. Within friendship there are some universal aspects that were investigated. The research attempted to understand the phenomenon of friendship amongst the developmental phase of the adolescent. Furthermore, the effect of friendship on the adolescent’s general psychological functioning had been investigated. The research came to the conclusion that friendship does have a positive influence on an adolescent’s general psychological functioning but that some psychological factors, such as communication skills, social skills and self confidence need to be developed to a certain extent in order for friendship to have a positive influence on the adolescent’s psychological functioning. If these psychological factors are however not in place, friendship may to a certain extent highlight an adolescent’s weaknesses and reinforce his/her social inadequacy, inferiority, lack of self confidence and negative self talk.Psychology of EducationM. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling

Sexual exploitation in children: Nature, prevalence and distinguishing characteristics reported in young adulthood

The aim of this study was to explore the nature and extent of sexual exploitation in a university student sample, whilst being clear that sexual exploitation is sexual abuse. Overall, 47% of participants (96 out of 204) reported having been approached by an adult in a sexual manner when they were under the age of 16. The study predicted that a number of individual characteristics would increase a young person’s vulnerability for sexual exploitation. These included low self-esteem, external locus of control, social loneliness and insecure attachment. Results indicated lower levels of self-esteem among those who had been approached sexually, although it is not clear in terms of causality. There were no differences in scores for locus of control or loneliness. Relationship anxiety was significantly linked with children having engaged in sexual behaviours with an adult. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of emerging individual characteristics relating to a risk of sexual exploitation

The relationship between dating, love and social anxiety problems among the secondary school students

The aim of this study is to identify the emergence of dating phenomenon, love affair and their relationship with social anxiety amongst the students in secondary schools. Two hundred and forty students were chosen from eight different schools in Johor Bahru district for this study. The cluster on cluster sampling technique was applied and questionnaires on dating, love affair, sex and social anxiety for adolescents were used in this study. The alpha croncbach for both items are 0.7207 and 0.9690 accordingly. The results from the study have shown that the students perceptions towards love affair and social anxiety problem are at moderate levels while the most dominant love style among the students is ‘pragmatic love style’. There are significant differences between students who involve in dating in relation to races and standard of living, sex in relation to gender and love affair in relation to races. On the other hand, there are no significant differences among the other factors being studied such as sex and social anxiety in relation to races and in between love affair, dating, sex and social anxiety in relation to the location of their hometown

Exploring adolescent loneliness and companion animal attachment

This study explored the relationship between companion animal attachment and adolescent loneliness. Self report measures of loneliness (Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale), companion animal attachment (Companion Animal Bonding Scale), and social support (Social Support Questionnaire Revised Short Form) were completed by 293 adolescents from two ethnically diverse southwest rural high schools. Pet information included the type of favored pet, length of pet relationship, the number of household pets, and how the participants described their pet relationship. Participants also provided basic demographic data about themselves and their pets. Descriptive statistics, standard multiple regressions, t-tests, and ANOVAs were employed to examine relationships among the demographic data, pet variables, loneliness, and social support. Pet owners reported significantly lower loneliness scores than non-pet owners, t (290) = 4.1, p \u3c .001. Furthermore, companion animal bonding scores were inversely related to loneliness scores. Social support was measured with two scores: the number of humans in the social network and the perceived satisfaction with the network. Companion animal attachment was positively related to the number of humans in the social support network. However, teens with multiple household pets reported less satisfaction with the social network. Females reported higher pet attachment than males t (241) = 2.61, p = .01, but otherwise no significant demographic factors were found in loneliness or pet attachment scores. Adolescents predominately described their pet relationship with affectionate terms. It is questionable if a companion animal assessment tool aptly captures the feelings adolescents have for their pets. Hence both theory and instrument development for pet attachment among adolescents is recommended

Loneliness and Depression among University Students in Kenya

The purpose of this research was to examine the predictive role of attachment styles on loneliness and depression The sample consisted of 652 313 females 339 males university students Data were collected by using the relationship scales questionnaire UCLA-R loneliness scale and Beck depression inventory To analyze data Pearson product-moment correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis was employed Attachment styles were found to be significantly correlated to loneliness and depression A significant relationship was also found between loneliness and depression A significant effect of attachment styles on loneliness and depression was detecte

Interrelationship between Attachment Styles and Facebook Addiction

Social networking sites have started to become one of the most frequently used online communication types in the world. It is reported that one of the commonly used social networking sites is Facebook. Since Facebook use is new yet, it can be stated that researches on the Facebook addiction are at the beginning level. For this reason, determining factors leading to the Facebook addiction has gained importance. In this context, in this study, relationships between attachment styles and the Facebook addiction were examined. The participants of the study were 322 university students [145(45%) male, 177(55%) female, Mage=20.61 years, SD=1.82]. In the study, the Personal Information Form, the Relationship Scales Questionnaire and the Facebook Addiction Scale were administered. The relationships between attachment styles and the Facebook addiction were calculated via using the Pearson correlation analysis. The Pearson correlation analysis results indicated that the Facebook addiction was negatively related with the secure and dismissing attachment style and positively related with the preoccupied attachment style. No relationship was found between the fearful attachment style and the Facebook addiction. If the attachment styles predicted the Facebook addiction was examined via using the stepwise regression analysis. The research findings indicated that the secure and dismissing attachment style negatively predicted and the preoccupied attachment style positively predicted the Facebook addiction. However, it was determined that the fearful attachment style did not predict Facebook addiction. The research findings were discussed under the light of related literature