1.6.1 Attachment Types and Alexithymia as an Attachment System
In this present study, both attachment type and alexithymia are being explored as significant factors for IA. While attachment theory relates to the development of an interpersonal style of relating to others (secure or insecure) or indeed a secondary representational structure (De Rick et al., 2009; Fonagy et al., 2002) modeled by the primary caregiver and triggered in times of distress, alexithymia might be defined as a reflection of the internal symbolic representational system. Borrowing from this key approach by De Rick et al. (2009), the degree of alexithymia and resulting abilities to identify and describe emotions therefore helps to inform upon the way an individual’s attachment system is organised. This present study therefore looks to identify the role of the attachment system (relational style and emotion regulation) in IA.
As with the De Rick et al. (2009) study, it is not anticipated that the attachment system will mediate the severity of IA. Psychological flexibility (specifically EA) will be explored as a possible factor in doing this. However, specific IA dimensions may be important here in terms of reflecting which may be more problematic in relation to a
Commented [RP29]: Updated to remove ‘we’ as per feedback point 19.
Commented [RP30]: Removal of use of ‘we’.
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persons attachment system. As De Rick et al. (2009) state, the attachment system can be seen as a continuum or spectrum in terms of development, with secure attachment and alexithymia (with severely impaired attachment system) on one end and insecure and alexithymia (well developed internal representational system) at the other end. Where an individual is located on that spectrum is therefore important in terms of what treatment may be more appropriate.
In addition, the inclusion of the attention-appraisal model of alexithymia allows for the finer exploration of cognitive and emotion information processing in relation to attachment type and Internet Addiction. This will help with the ability to tease out how an individual with a specific attachment type might appraise the actions or
behaviours of others, positive or negative. Those with anxious attachment have been reported as being more likely to perceive threats, anger and to respond to what others may describe as ‘positive’ event in a negative manner (Shaver & Mikulincer, 2008). In which case, they may score higher on difficulty appraising positive feelings within the attention-appraisal model, due to this bias towards experiencing negative emotions. Within that context, a key function of compulsive or impulsive behaviours (such as IA) may have a primary function of reducing that anxiety. In contrast, avoidant attachment types are more likely to demonstrate less of an emotional reaction, either positive or negative, which may be reflected in higher levels of difficulty appraising feelings generally.
1.6.2 Experiential Avoidance and the Attachment System
This present study seeks to build upon the model of the attachment system
(attachment type and alexithymia) via exploration of how experiential avoidance may further help explain Internet Addiction. As alexithymia primarily looks at the role of identifying/describing emotions, appraisal of situations and externally orientated cognitions, experiential avoidance offers a potential explanation for why individuals remain stuck with a specific coping mechanism or addictive behaviour.
Experiential avoidance provides a strategy, conscious or otherwise, for avoiding situations or experiences that have been appraised as a threat or source of pain or distress (Hayes & Gifford, 1997). In which case, those who are anxiously attached and have hyper-vigilance to such threats are more likely to engage in experiential avoidance when it may not be necessary. This can result in behaviours that are protective, such as seeking close proximity to an attachment figure, but are also
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preservative and prevent any adaptation of the attachment system. Equally, those with an avoidant attachment style may employ experiential avoidance in order to deactivate their attachment behaviours rather than acknowledge threat, pain or distress. Mikulincer (1998) expands upon this from an attachment perspective, pointing out that such avoidance can lead to compulsive and repressive-dissociative mechanisms adapted to promote or protect a sense of self-reliance.
In this sense, experiential avoidance offers a model of psychological flexibility and with it, a promise of adaptation that may help manage or indeed change
developmental deficits that result in an increased or decreased propensity for Internet Addiction.
1.6.3 Experiential Avoidance as a Mediating Process for Internet Addiction
EA has been found to be a key mechanism or mediating variable that bridges alexithymia and emotion dysregulation (Anderson and Crowther, 2012; Panayiotou et al., 2015; Venta, Hart and Sharp, 2013). In the Venta et al. (2013) study, which looked at the relation between EA, alexithymia and emotion regulation in a small sample of inpatient adolescents based in the USA, they found that EA impacted upon a person’s ability to regulate negative emotions and respond to their environment in an adaptive manner.
This present study therefore aims to explore the previous proposition that EA can be considered an extension of the attachment system, acting as an emotion regulation strategy that can mediate the effects of alexithymia, particularly difficulty identifying, describing negative feelings and general appraisal. Indeed, further to this it is theorised that EA will mediate the affect of both attachment type and alexithymia on IA.