Crispin, Anita A. (2020) Self-protection versus couple connection: Couple factors that influence romantic self-sabotage. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Love can heal or hurt individuals and couples. For some, love is a destructive cycle of romantic sabotage and pattern of relationship failure that diminishes well-being. The current study aimed to explore the influence among relationship factors and romantic sabotage. A total of 650 participants (final N = 571) completed an online relationship survey that measured relationship self-sabotage (i.e., defensiveness, trust difficulty, lack of relationship skills), perceived relationship stress, attachment avoidance and anxiety, and perceived relationship quality. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test two research hypotheses. Firstly, in line with an integrated model of Attachment and Goal Orientation Theories, it was hypothesised that relationship stress and attachment would predict defensiveness in romantic relationships. Secondly, in line with relationship research and therapy, it was hypothesised that relationship stress, attachment, and romantic sabotage would predict relationship quality. Study results partially supported the hypotheses. Relationship stress was found to be a predictor of defensiveness. Stress, attachment avoidance, defensiveness, and lack of relationship skills were also found to be predictors of relationship quality. The current research was the first to investigate the influence among relationship factors and romantic sabotage from an integrated attachment and goal orientation perspective and uniquely contributed to the existing knowledge of relationship phenomenon and provided empirical support for the integrated model. This study’s findings can be applied to individuals, couples, families, friendships, and workplaces in the identification, measurement, and treatment of relationship self-sabotage.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Raquel Peel |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Jul 2025 06:02 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Jul 2025 06:02 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Relationship self-sabotage; attachment; goal orientation; stress; relationship. quality |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52240 |
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