related to OCD symptoms highlights the difference between these two constructs. It is possible that an avoidant attachment style does not lead to inflated personal responsibility, but an anxious attachment style does. This is supported by the finding that attachment anxiety is associated with relatively negative evaluations of competence across all life domains, but the self-views of avoidant individuals varies across domains (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2003). As such, it is possible that individuals with an avoidant attachment style may evaluate their competence during pregnancy positively, meaning they have lower responsibility beliefs at this time, compared to individuals with an anxious attachment style. Furthermore, an avoidant attachment style is associated with discomfort with closeness and preference for emotional distance and self-reliance (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2003). It is therefore possible that relationships are not deemed to be as important to a positive view of the self in individuals with an avoidant attachment style, meaning they do not activate attachment behaviours that ultimately might be expressed as symptoms of OCD. This is supported by the finding that around half of the peer reviewed studies into avoidant attachment and self-esteem found no evidence of self-esteem deficits in avoidant people, whereas almost all studies have shown that attachment anxiety is associated with lower (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2003). 4.3. Strengths and Limitations 4.3.1. Measurement Issues This study used valid and reliable measures of each of the variables; however these measures were all self-report scales. Self-report scales are a potential source of inaccuracy as participants can engage in socially desirable responding (Paulhus & Reid, 1991). However, there is no research into whether this is a particular problem with the sample used. To minimise this possible inaccuracy, the questionnaire responses were anonymous as
related to OCD symptoms highlights the difference between these two constructs. It is possible that an avoidant attachment style does not lead to inflated personal responsibility, but an anxious attachment style does. This is supported by the finding that attachment anxiety is associated with relatively negative evaluations of competence across all life domains, but the self-views of avoidant individuals varies across domains (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2003). As such, it is possible that individuals with an avoidant attachment style may evaluate their competence during pregnancy positively, meaning they have lower responsibility beliefs at this time, compared to individuals with an anxious attachment style. Furthermore, an avoidant attachment style is associated with discomfort with closeness and preference for emotional distance and self-reliance (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2003). It is therefore possible that relationships are not deemed to be as important to a positive view of the self in individuals with an avoidant attachment style, meaning they do not activate attachment behaviours that ultimately might be expressed as symptoms of OCD. This is supported by the finding that around half of the peer reviewed studies into avoidant attachment and self-esteem found no evidence of self-esteem deficits in avoidant people, whereas almost all studies have shown that attachment anxiety is associated with lower (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2003). 4.3. Strengths and Limitations 4.3.1. Measurement Issues This study used valid and reliable measures of each of the variables; however these measures were all self-report scales. Self-report scales are a potential source of inaccuracy as participants can engage in socially desirable responding (Paulhus & Reid, 1991). However, there is no research into whether this is a particular problem with the sample used. To minimise this possible inaccuracy, the questionnaire responses were anonymous as
Jenni%20Shaw%20Ethesis.docx