| dc.description.abstract | The present study tested a conceptual model of love based upon attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1980). Two hundred undergraduate students from a private southwestern university were administered a packet of questionnaires regarding their mental models of self (Ricks, 1985), stressful life events during childhood (Abidin, 1986), behavior in current dating relationships (Hatfield & Sprecher, 1986), adult attachment styles (Hazan and Shaver, 1987; West, Sheldon, & Reiffer, 1987) and perceived maternal and paternal support during childhood (Epstein, 1983). Persons who reported their mothers had been receptive to their displays of affection during childhood also reported believing that they are worthy of someone's love. Paternal support was not found to be related to one's mental model of self. However, both maternal and paternal support were found to predict one's adult attachment style. Secure individuals reported that their mothers and fathers had provided them with support during childhood. Avoidant individuals, on the other hand, reported that their mothers and fathers did not provide them with support during childhood. The anxious/ambivalent persons reported only moderate support from their parents. Attitude toward attachment was found to predict liking for a partner and commitment to a relationship, but did not predict love for a partner. In support of attachment theory, the influences of parental support and mental models of self upon one's behavior in a dating relationship were mediated by adult attachment style. | |
