The relationship between attachment, primary emotions and positive/negative spirituality: a path analysis

Anton Freund, Jürgen Fuchshuber, Giorgia Silani, Human-Friedrich Unterrainer

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates what may influence individuals to experience their religiosity/spirituality as either subjectively positive [religious or spiritual (r/s) wellbeing] or as negative (r/s struggles). Drawing on existing literature attachment insecurity and the seven primary emotions as outlined by Jaak Panksepp in Affective Neuroscience are identified as likely influences.

METHODS: The final sample consisted of 340 participants (age: M = 36, SD = 14.2; 68.5% = female), among which 65% self-identified as religious/spiritual. A path analysis was conducted to test a proposed mediation model in which the expected effects of primary emotions (B-ANPS) on r/s wellbeing (MI-RSWB) and r/s struggles (RSSS) were mediated through attachment insecurity (ECR-RD8).

RESULTS: The data indicated that attachment insecurity fully mediated the relationships between the primary emotions SADNESS and LUST with r/s struggles. Furthermore, the primary emotions FEAR and ANGER displayed small direct effects on both r/s struggles and r/s wellbeing. Overall, the model, which demonstrated excellent model fit, was able to explain 30% of the variance of r/s struggles, 24% of attachment insecurity and 5% of r/s wellbeing.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that primary emotions such as SADNESS and LUST substantially explain r/s struggles and that these relationships seem to be mediated through attachment. Moreover, r/s struggles seem to be qualitatively distinct from r/s wellbeing. Finally, a moderate link between LUST and attachment suggests that sexuality plays a significant role in (adult) attachment processes.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1375850
JournalFrontiers in Public Health
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Jun 2024

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 501001 General psychology

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Female
  • Male
  • Adult
  • Emotions
  • Spirituality
  • Object Attachment
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult
  • path analysis
  • spiritual struggles
  • religious/spiritual wellbeing
  • attachment
  • primary emotions

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