Adult attachment, interpersonal problems, feedback receptivity, and perceptions of supervisors in corporate settings

Kimberly Cheryl Wong, Fordham University

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between adult attachment, interpersonal problems, feedback receptivity, and perceptions of supervisors within corporate environments. Participants consisted of 176 individuals over the age of 18 who were currently employed full-time in corporate settings. Participants were recruited via e-mail, message boards, and online professional and social networking sites. All participants were asked to complete an online survey and watch a brief video segment. Following completion of data collection correlational and path analyses were used to analyze the data. It was hypothesized that attachment avoidance would be associated with perceptions of a supervisory style profile characterized by lower attractiveness, lower interpersonal sensitivity, and moderate task orientation. Results indicated a lack of support for this hypothesis. It was also expected that there would be a correlation between attachment avoidance and problems in the hostile-dominant quadrant of the interpersonal circumplex. This hypothesis was supported on the basis of correlational data amongst variables. Lastly, it was hypothesized that receptivity to negative feedback would serve as a mediator in the relationship between attachment avoidance and perceptions of supervisory style, as well as in the relationship between interpersonal problems and perceptions of supervisory style. Results did not yield support for any mediation effects in the model. This study aimed to build upon the limited existing research examining psychological constructs within the context of supervisory relationships in corporate settings. Developing a better understanding of factors affecting supervisory relationships is necessary given the dominant role of work in the lives of most adults.

Subject Area

Occupational psychology

Recommended Citation

Wong, Kimberly Cheryl, "Adult attachment, interpersonal problems, feedback receptivity, and perceptions of supervisors in corporate settings" (2013). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3564226.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3564226

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