Psychology and its Contexts (Nov 2017)
Work-life balance in the light of the adult attachment theory in teachers of elementary schools
Abstract
The main aim of this study was to examine the influence of attachment styles in work-life balance. Prior research has demonstrated that attachment styles are important antecedents of interpersonal relationship quality and psychological well-being (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). Despite this, the theory of attachment styles has been largely ignored by researchers interested in workplace phenomena. When researchers began exploring the nature of adult attachment, they primarily focused on romantic relationships. Implementation of the theory into organizational settings began with topics such as leadership dynamics where the parent to child parallel is fairly obvious (Harms, 2011). Over the past two decades, however, number of studies have attempted to examine the role of attachment styles and a variety of behaviors, attitudes, and experiences in the workplace setting (e.g. Richards & Schat, 2011; Geller & Bamberger, 2009). The research sample consisted of 78 female middle school teachers. Data collection consisted of attachment style diagnostics using the Czech version of Experiences in Close Relationships and semistructured interview assessing respondents’ work-life. Depending on the attachment style, 15 interviews were conducted covering an equal number of secure, anxious and avoidant respondents. Using methodology of grounded theory, data analysis consisted of coding transcripted interviews, identifying key points and grouping them into concepts and categories. Results indicate that individuals with anxious attachment were more likely to experience negative spillover in both directions. Purely positive spillover occurred mainly among secure individuals. Avoidant individuals tended towards segmentation between domains. Secures mostly identified with their work, and individuals with ambivalent attachment fluctuated between segmentation and identification. Different reactions to authority confrontation were also found. Individuals with anxious attachment tend to subordinate to authorities. Avoidant indiviuals showed more assertiveness and resistance. Secure indiviuals acknowledged both personal and role dimentions. According to the study of Summer and Knight (2001), individuals with anxious attachment experience higher levels of negative spillover from home to work than did secures and avoidants. Secure individuals were also more likely to experience positive spillover in both directions. Prior research suggests that securely attached individuals are able to prevent the spreading of negative affect (Mikulincer & Orbach, 1995), are more likely to use constructive coping strategies in dealing with stress (Mikulincer, Florian, & Weller, 1993). Kahn and Kram (1994) suggested authority stances similar to our findings and proposed independent, counterdependent and dependent internal models of authority which correspond to attachment styles. Limitations of the study are in the specific research sample and its size. Further research applicating quantitative methods is advised.
