Attachment, Dyadic Adjustment, and Social Interest: An Indirect Effects Model
This study examined the contribution of social interest to the established link between adult attachment and well-being in romantic relationships (dyadic adjustment). Results from a sample of 246 university faculty, staff, and students indicated that both attachment avoidance ( r = −.496, p r = −.299, p r = .218, p B = −.242, CI95 [−.566, −.033]). These results are consistent with an ecosystemic view of relational functioning and indicate the importance of developing social interest during clinical work with couples.
ABSTRACT Now that the 21st century is underway, society is changing more rapidly than ever. People of all ages are facing new kinds of psychological and interpersonal issues. They are living longer and pioneering new kinds of family patterns and relationships. Given this, then, how can intergenerational programs and relationships both adapt to these new contexts and serve to help people better meet these new societal demands and changes? This article extends, deepens and elaborates upon earlier efforts by describing new societal trends that affect people in the life span, selecting some relevant concepts, exploring them, and suggesting how they might enhance our understanding. Given that this is the postmodern age in which there are questions rather than answers, the discussion of each concept ends with questions for future theory construction.