El-Ariss, Ghinwa

Type:

Names:

Creator (cre): El-Ariss, Ghinwa, Thesis advisor (ths): Scharfe, Elaine, Degree committee member (dgc): Navara, Geoff, Degree committee member (dgc): Russell, Elizabeth, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University

Abstract:

The use of threats to feelings of intimacy and belonging, also known as

relational aggression, has been previously explained using attachment representations

and attributions in childhood. However, the combined role of attachment

representations and attributions in explaining relational aggression in adult peer and

romantic relationships has been unexplored. This study tested the associations

between attachment, attributions, and relational aggression with a specific focus on the

mediating role of attributions. A final sample of 258 undergraduate university

students completed self-report surveys and vignettes to measure the variables of

interest. Results suggested that attachment predicted relational aggression but, with

one exception, attributions did not explain unique variance in relational aggression

after controlling for attachment. Interestingly, hostile attributions mediated the

relationship between dismissing attachment to romantic partners and romantic

relational aggression. Therefore, individuals' attachment representations directly

influenced their levels of relational aggression in relationships regardless of their

attributions.

Author Keywords: Adulthood, Attachment, Attributions, Mediation, Relational Aggression

2019