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Adult attachment and body satisfaction. An exploration of general and specific relationship differences
Nita Mary McKinley1, Leigh Anne Randa
1Interdisciplinary Arts and Science, University of Washington, 1900 Commerce Street, Campus Box 358436, Tacoma, WA 98466, USA.
Abstract:
The relationship between general and specific adult relationship attachment and body satisfaction was examined in a community sample of 133 women. Participants completed measures of body image (body surveillance, body-as-object esteem, and body-as-process satisfaction) and general attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and then were primed for a romantic partner or close friend relationship, after which they completed specific measures of attachment and body satisfaction. General attachment results replicated previous research. Specific attachment results demonstrated distinct differences both from general attachment and between romantic partner attachment and close friend attachment. Attachment independently predicted body satisfaction both for general and close friend measures; however, in romantic relationships, only body surveillance independently contributed to body satisfaction.
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