Citation

Taubman-Ben-Ari O, Findler L, Mikulincer M. Br. J. Soc. Psychol. 2002; 41(Pt 3): 419-441.

Affiliation

School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Wiley Blackwell)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12419011

Abstract

This series of studies examined mortality salience effects on relationship strivings, while exploring the moderating role of attachment style. In the three studies, Israeli university students completed an attachment style scale, were assigned to a mortality salience or neutral condition, and then completed scales tapping specific relationship strivings and beliefs. Study 1 (N = 104) examined participants' willingness to initiate social interactions with a hypothetical same-sex person; Study 2 (N = 100) examined appraisals of interpersonal competence; and Study 3 (N = 108) examined reports of rejection sensitivity. Findings revealed that mortality salience led to more willingness to initiate social interactions, lower rejection sensitivity and more positive appraisals of interpersonal competence than a control condition. These mortality salience effects were found mainly among persons who scored low on attachment anxiety or attachment avoidance. Findings were discussed in light of the terror management function of close relationships.

Language: en