A qualitative study to show how other affect individual development, using thematic analysis.

ABSTRACT

This study will examine the ways that adults construct their own attachment experiences and relationships along and how others influence these attachments and their development. The chosen method for data collection was interviews as they provide full and detailed data for thematic analysis. Other researchers studying within the social constructionist perspective with a main focus on attachment found that attachment relationships are a central part of our lives, which can stem from childhood experiences through to later adult life. There is also some evidence to suggest environment influences an individual. Thematic analysis
ANALYSIS

Whilst reviewing the interview and transcript 3 main themes become apparent and were identified in relation to the research question of “How do adults perceive that significant others in their lives have affected their development?” These themes were, the attachment bond with her mother, challenging the idea that things can’t be repaired or security being earned and expectations.

Attachment bond with mother:

The Attachment to mother affected later relationships development. This is evident in her first marriage; Chloe acknowledged that the relationship with her mother affected her relationship.

“. … I think it goes back to that thing with my Mum,…”

(Chloe) [Lines 107-108]

Chloe’s attachment with her mother is made very clear in many parts of the interview, as most of who she talks about is her mother and the relationship they had (Chloe)[lines 23–27 and 32–57 and 107–112 and 128–158]

“How I felt was too closely linked to her and how she felt was too close …”

(Chloe)[Lines 130-131]

One main feature of her childhood and early adult life was that she felt like she was betraying her mother by being happy, it was as if she was not allowed to be happy if her mother was not.

“…and I’d gone away, I’d left her, I’d got married and I was very happy, so I felt really bad about that, and I felt like I was deserting her, which isn’t brilliant.”

(Chloe)[Lines 110–112]

Challenging