Date of Award

8-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Dr. Bonnie Nicholson

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Dr. Eric Dahlen

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Dr. Emily Yowell

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Committee Member 4

Dr. Melanie Leuty

Committee Member 4 School

Psychology

Abstract

Secure attachment with parents predicts less emotional distress and greater subjective well-being across the lifespan. One mechanism by which parental attachment supports mental health outcomes is through psychological needs satisfaction (PNS). In addition to the attachment to parents, relationships with fictive kin caregivers are prevalent and important among Black families. The present study investigated the association between parental attachment, fictive kin bonds, psychological needs satisfaction and mental health outcomes (i.e., emotional distress and subjective well-being) in a sample of Black American adults. Two hundred twenty-three (N = 223) participants completed measures of parental attachment, fictive-kin bonds, psychological needs satisfaction (PNS), emotional distress, and subjective well-being (SWB). A measure of COVID-19 distress was also included. Three hypotheses were tested. First, it was hypothesized that parental attachment was positively associated with mediator PNS, positively associated with SWB, and negatively associated with emotional distress. Second, it was hypothesized that fictive kin bonds were positively associated with mediator PNS, positively associated with SWB, and negatively associated with emotional distress. Finally, it was hypothesized that fictive kin bods moderate the mediational relationship between parental attachment and PNS. SEM analyses were conducted to examine the relationships and results supported the first two hypotheses, but not the final one. Analyses found that both parental attachment and fictive bonds were significant unique predictors of PNS and mental health outcomes among Black Americans in this sample.

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