Bryant, Ashleigh (2024) Emotion Regulation and Positive Solitude: Investigating Loneliness in Anxious Attachment. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Background: Research has established a connection between anxious attachment styles and emotion regulation difficulties, indicating that individuals with anxious attachment often struggle with processing negative emotions, leading to maladaptive behaviours and increased loneliness. Aims: This study investigates the hypothesis that anxious attachment predicts loneliness, with emotion regulation difficulties and positive solitude acting as a moderating factor. Methodology: A prospective correlational design was employed. Participants (N = 368) completed demographic variables, the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire, the Positive Solitude Scale, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale at time point one. Approximately one week later, participants (N=274) completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Results: Moderation analysis indicated that anxious attachment and emotion regulation difficulties significantly predicted increased loneliness. Positive solitude was significantly associated with reduced loneliness. Although there was a trend suggesting that positive solitude might mitigate the relationship between anxious attachment and loneliness, this moderating effect was not statistically significant. Similarly, emotion regulation difficulties did not significantly moderate the relationship between anxious attachment and loneliness. Conclusions: Although both anxious attachment and emotion regulation difficulties positively contribute to loneliness, positive solitude is inversely related. However, neither emotion regulation nor positive solitude significantly moderate the relationship between anxious attachment and loneliness. This finding highlights the need for further research to explore the interactions between these variables and enhance interventions aimed at addressing loneliness and associated mental health outcomes.
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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: | Dr Brown, Daniel |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology) |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Jan 2026 06:34 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Jan 2026 06:34 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | attachment, emotion, positive solitude, loneliness. |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520304 Health psychology |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53082 |
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