Lauren Johnston
Degree: Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology
Supervisor: Dr. L. McWilliams
Abstract: This study was aimed at examining whether attachment system hyperactivation and deactivation would be manifested as individual differences in pain behavior. Participants (N=34) underwent a cold pressor pain task. Half of the participants had a close friend present during the task, while the other half completed the task alone. As predicted, the associations between the attachment dimensions and ratings of pain and distress varied across experimental condition. Those higher in attachment anxiety reported higher levels of emotional distress with a friend present, and those higher in avoidance gave lower pain and distress ratings with a friend present, relative to when they were alone. Unexpectedly, however, anxiety was negatively associated with pain intensity in the friend-absent condition, and avoidance was positively associated with pain intensity in the friend-absent condition. Although this study provides some evidence for hyperactivation and deactivation behavior, secondary attachment behaviors in response to pain appear to be more complicated than theories predict.