Victim Empathy as a Function of Attachment Style, Sex, Self-Esteem and Type of Victimization

The conceptualization of adult attachment styles corresponding internal working models is a useful frame when considering empathetic responses to victims. This study explored empathy for fictional victims of several types of traumas, including date and stranger rape, as a function of ideal and actual attachment style, self-esteem, and rape victim-perpetrator association. Forty male and 157 female undergraduates at a large state university completed a questionnaire packet consisting of demographic information, a self-esteem scale, an actual and an ideal relationship style measure, and a philosophies of human nature scale utilized to measure related attachment dimensions. They then read 10 trauma scenarios designed by the principal investigator and rated level of empathy toward the victim. For both actual and ideal attachment, participants were categorized into one of four styles: secure, preoccupied, fearful and dismissing. As a continuous measure of attachment styles, participants were also asked to rate the degree to which each of these styles described them. Results of multiple regression analyses with 16 potential variables predicting empathy found that empathy toward rape victims was predicted only by sex of participant and actual preoccupied relationship style, while overall victim empathy was predicted by sex of participant and ideal secure relationship style. ANOV A results indicated no difference in rape victim empathy as a function of victim-perpetrator association, although a main effect for sex was found, with females indicating greater rape victim empathy than males. T-tests were utilized to explore differences in empathy across paired scenarios and results indicated greater participant empathy for a mentally ill person who was medication and treatment compliant compared to one who was not; a college woman whose boyfriend broke up with her who nonetheless performed well on mid-terms compared to one who performed poorly; and someone with a positive cancer prognosis compared to a terminal patient. ANOVAs across four actual attachment styles indicated that individuals who had a secure actual relationship style had lower self esteem than individuals with a preoccupied or a fearful actual relationship style. There were no significant differences in self esteem as a function of the ideal attachment style. The results conflict with existing literature, indicating possible problems in the measures and methodology utilized in the current study and suggesting future research directions, such as examining internal working models of attachment in greater depth, particularly as they related to sexual assault. Acknowledgements As a clinical psychologist in training, I tend to take a process oriented and interpersonal approach to my life. The process that has included the conceptualization of my thesis topic, the thesis proposal, the data collection, the data entry, analysis, the writing of my thesis, the defense of my thesis, and the revisions of my thesis could not have been possible without several interpersonal relationships that I am blessed to have in my life. First and foremost, I need to thank the Montana and Oregon contingency; my mother for keeping me secure, my father for keeping me motivated, my grandmother for keeping me inspired and my brothers for keeping me humble. Thank you also to the Rhode Island contingency; Jaime and his family for keeping me sane. For my amazing friends/roommates-Maheen, Andrea, Leah, Danielle, Cathy, Senait, Mamelle, Kim, Simona, and Erica (among many others)-who are constantly helping me keep things in perspective; I can not give you enough of my gratitude and respect. I am extremely fortunate to be able to study, work, and play with people I consider my best friends. A huge thanks to my major professor, Kat Quina, for always stepping in when I need her most. Thanks to my other committee members Jerry Cohen (for the support surrounding my statistic anxiety), Stephen Grubman-Black (for the flexibility and commitment), Al Berman (for the personal reassurances at just the right times) and Jim Campbell (for knowing me and believing in me). I would also like to acknowledge my appreciation for my current clinical supervisor, Dan Hurley, and my wonderful supervision team, for continually reminding me why I love attachment and clinical psychology.