ATTACHMENT SATISFACTION IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIP AND WELLBEING IN MARRIED ADULT CHILDREN CAREGIVERS

摘要

Background and objectives: Previous studies have shown that individual differences in self-reported adult attachment are related to the quality, satisfaction and stability of close relationships. This research aimed to investigate the relation between adult attachment, satisfaction in close relationships (marital, familiar and friendship) and three indicators of subjective well-being (depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and self-rated health) among married adult children caregivers of parents with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: A total of 386 adult children caregivers (94.6% women’s; 79% young adults and 21% middle-aged adults) responded the questionnaire that was available online using the Qualtrics survey software tool. Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple regression analysis, via SPSS (version 25) software was performed. Results: Depressive symptoms were significantly related to scores on the anxiety attachment dimension (B=.421, SE=.46, p<.001) only. By contrast, Life satisfaction was significantly related to scores on the depend attachment dimension (B=.209, SE=.27, p<.001), marital satisfaction (B=.187, SE=.17, p<.001), family satisfaction (B=.226, SE=.22, p<.001), and friendship satisfaction (B=.146, SE=.21, p<.001). Finally, self-rated health was significantly predicted by scores on the depend attachment dimension (B=.115, SE=.06, p<.005), family satisfaction (B=.124, SE=.05, p<.005) and friendship satisfaction (B=.175, SE=.04, p<.001), but not by marital satisfaction (B=.055, SE=.03, p=.287). Conclusions: The present study indicated the importance of attachment style in relation to overall levels of close relationship satisfaction in the context of caregiving. These findings suggest that adult attachment is an important factor in the context of therapy for adult child caregivers who are experiencing relationships issues in their marriage and family.