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This study examined cultural differences in self-construal (independence and interdependence) and close attachment behaviors (avoidance and anxiety). Online survey data were collected from a random sample (N=202) of African, European, Asian, Hispanic, and American students from Emory University. It was predicted that culture influences the relationships among self-construal and attachment behaviors. Oneway ANOVA indicated no significant group differences in attachment avoidance or anxiety but significant differences in independence and interdependence. Furthermore, hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated an interaction between culture and self-construal in determining interpersonal avoidance. Analyses revealed only a main effect for self-construal in predicting interpersonal anxiety. Students high in independence reported less anxiety while those high in interdependence reported more anxiety. Findings are consistent with attachment theory but also suggest the importance of considering cultural influences on interpersonal behavior.
Bowlby (1969) proposed a universal theory of relationships arguing that views of self and other, which form in early attachment, predict attitudes and behaviors in relationships throughout the life span. A wide range of studies support attachment theory, but these studies were primarily conducted in Western cultures.
Cross-cultural studies have shown that people of different cultures vary in attachment avoidance and anxiety (Wang & Mallinckrodt, 2006; Wei et al., 2004). Variability may be due to cultural differences in views of self and other, particularly independence and interdependence.
Hypotheses: Asian Americans will show higher interpersonal avoidance and anxiety. Culture will influence the relationship between independence and avoidance. Interdependent self-construals will be positively related to higher anxiety. This relationship will be strongest among Asian Americans, members of a culture that values interdependence.
Participants
• Gender: Female (n = 159; 80%), Male (n = 39; 20%)
• Age: Mean = 19.6 (SD = 1.56); Range = 17-36
• Cultural Group: African/Caribbean American (n = 28; 14%), European American (n = 49; 24%), East/Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander American (n = 39; 20%), Hispanic American (n = 8; 4%), and American (n = 76; 38%)
Procedure
• Simple random sample
• Online survey
Measures
• The Experience Close Relationships Scale (ECRS) (Brennan et al., 1998) measured adult attachment; two subscales of 18 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale
• Interpersonal Avoidance (fears of dependence and intimacy)
• Interpersonal Anxiety (fears of abandonment and rejection)
• The Self-Construal Scale (Singelis, 1994) measured view of self and others; two subscales of 12 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale
• Independence (emphasis on separateness and individualism)
• Interdependence (emphasis on connectedness and collectivism)
• Students selected their primary ethnicity from a list of ten cultural groups which were later collapsed into five ethnic groups: 1) African American; 2) European American; 3) Asian American; 4) Hispanic American; 5) American
• Oneway ANOVA: No significant group differences in avoidance or anxiety
• Cultural group differences in independence, F(4, 199) = 2.35, p < .06, and interdependence, F(4, 199) = 2.58, p < .04
African Americans had highest levels of independence. Asian Americans had highest levels of interdependence.
• Hierarchical Multiple Regression
Avoidance
• Main effects for self-construal, F(2, 185) = 3.543, p < .03, R2 = .035
• Interaction between culture and self-construal in determining interpersonal avoidance, F(8, 185) = 2.150, p < .05, R2= .079
Anxiety
• Main effect for self-construal, F(2, 197) = 5.655, p < .05, R2 = .054
• High independence negatively associated with anxiety (sr = -.17) High interdependence positively associated with anxiety (sr = .17)
Cultural background may be more important for views of self and other than feelings and behaviors in interpersonal relationships. Asian American students may have retained strong cultural beliefs that emphasize collectivism and group harmony, leading to the highest self-reports of interdependence. African American students at Emory reported the highest levels of independence, perhaps reflecting personal values necessary for success in a society which has discriminated against members of their ethnic group. Self-construal was related to interpersonal avoidance, but in different ways across ethnic groups. Additional research with larger samples in each cultural group is necessary to determine the reliability of these findings. Cultural identity and embeddedness may be useful in explaining observed cultural differences in the relationship between self-construal and avoidance. Higher levels of interdependence were related to higher anxiety across all cultural groups. To the extent that those from Asian cultures report higher levels of interdependence, it is important for attachment researchers to consider that reported levels of interpersonal anxiety may reflect culturally normative concern for others and not insecurity in relationships.
This material is based upon work supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and SIRE.
Survey Research
culture, self-construal, attachment, avoidance, anxiety
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