Wiesner, Claudine L. (2022) The Mediating Effect of Social Problem Solving on the Relationship between Insecure Attachment and Psychological Distress. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Our ability to formulate effective solutions to life problems bears on our wellbeing. For one in five Australian, coping with stress causes significant psychological distress, and may lead to the development of serious mental health conditions. Social problem-solving ability is rooted in the way we experience and cope with stressful situations in childhood. Insecure attachment is associated with lower problem-solving ability, and with psychological distress. With increasing levels of psychological distress in the Australian population, it is critical to understand the pathways connecting insecure attachment, social problem-solving, and psychological distress. This study sought to examine the mediating effect of social problem solving on the relationship between insecure attachment and psychological distress in a sample of 378 adults from the general population. The DASS-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1996) was administered to measure psychological distress. Social Problem Solving was measured using the Social Problem-Solving Inventory – Revised Short Form (SPSI–R:S; D’ Zurilla et al., 2004), and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R; Fraley et al., 2000) was used to measure insecure attachment. Results confirmed that social problem solving was a significant mediator of the relationship between insecure attachment and psychological distress. Implications for assessment and treatment of psychological distress are discussed.
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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: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Zahra Izadikhah |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Aug 2025 03:35 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Aug 2025 03:35 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | insecure attachment; social problem solving; psychological distress; attachment insecurity; coping |
| 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/52883 |
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