An exploration of ex-boarding school adults’ attachment styles and substance use behaviours

Wharton, Natalie and Marcano-Olivier, Mariel (2023) An exploration of ex-boarding school adults’ attachment styles and substance use behaviours. Attachment & Human Development. pp. 1-15. ISSN 1461-6734

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Abstract

Our study examines the relationship between boarding school attendance, adult attachment styles, parental bonding, and substance use, aiming was to quantitatively investigate if caregiver deprivation caused by boarding contributes to enduring outcomes in adults. In a sample of 149 adults, measures included AUDIT and DUDIT (substance use), Parental Bonding Instrument (parental care), and Experiences in Close Relationships (adult attachment). Pearson’s correlation revealed a significant negative association between age at first boarding and anxiety, avoidant attachment styles, and poorer parental care, whilst a significant positive relationship was identified between age at first boarding and perceived parental care. This was supported by a hierarchical regression which demonstrated that the model predicted 29% of the variance in age at first boarding. These results contribute towards the formulation and treatment of ex-boarders and to research considering the effects of boarding school experiences on difficulties in adult life.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1080/14616734.2023.2228761
Dates:	Date Event 20 June 2023 Accepted 22 September 2023 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	attachment, boarding school, substance use, relationships, PBI
Subjects:	CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Psychology
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	25 Oct 2023 10:32
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2024 13:02
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/14868

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