Date of Conferral
6-17-2024
Date of Award
June 2024
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Michael Langlais
Abstract
Past researchers have shown relationships between leadership styles and attachment and that secure attachment is positively related to transformational leadership. However, there is a gap in the research on how childhood trauma and attachment security relate to leadership styles in adults. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine how childhood trauma and attachment security relate to transactional, transformational, and laissez-faire leadership styles. Social cognitive theory and attachment theory grounded this study. In this quantitative study, the specific research design was comparative. SurveyMonkey was used to gather data from supervisor/manager leaders who were recruited on social media (N = 124). The instruments used to gather data were the multifactor leadership questionnaire, experience in close relationships, and the adverse childhood experience scale. SPSS software was utilized to analyze the data. Results of regression analyses showed that attachment avoidance and childhood trauma did not relate to leadership styles. However, attachment anxiety was associated with transformational and laissez-faire leadership styles (but not transactional). Additionally, in alignment with past research, the current study showed a positive correlation between transformational and transactional leadership styles. Characteristics of attachment security (and insecurity) may mirror specific traits of different leadership styles. The findings of this study could have implications for positive social change by identifying traits that can shape leadership, specifically how leadership relates to attachment and trauma.
Recommended Citation
Duncan, Joshua S., "Childhood Trauma, Attachment, and Adult Leadership Styles" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16184.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16184
