Self-Determination Theory and Attachment Theory: An Integrative Model to Predict Drinking Motives and Protective Behavioral Strategies in Emerging Adults
Abstract
The integration of attachment theory and self-determination theory can be used to develop a statistical model to understand the association between attachment styles and basic psychological needs with drinking motives and protective behavioral strategies among emerging adults. Data collected from Prolific and UTEP (N = 437) was used in the present study to explore this possibility by examining the association between the variables of interest using linear regressions, SEM models, and moderated mediation models. Linear regressions demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between attachment styles, basic psychological needs, drinking motives and protective behavioral strategies. Although the complete and deconstructed SEM models used to assess the data resulted in a poor fit, the observed variables serving as indicators of the latent variable engagement in drinking were significant associated. The results also reflect that a moderated mediation does not occur between psychosocial maturity, attachment styles, basic psychological needs and drinking motives/protective behavioral strategies. The associations between insecure attachment styles and basic psychological needs presented in the current study indicates that the integration of self-determination theory and attachment theory should continue to be examined. This knowledge can be translated in the future to the development of interventions that can help emerging adults with insecure attachments styles and unsatisfied basic psychological needs reduce their alcohol consumption.
Subject Area
Psychology
Recommended Citation
López, Claudia I, "Self-Determination Theory and Attachment Theory: An Integrative Model to Predict Drinking Motives and Protective Behavioral Strategies in Emerging Adults" (2022). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI29206391.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI29206391