UNIVERSALITY OF RELATIONSHIP CHARACTERISTICS: A CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATTACHMENT AND LONELINESS IN CANADIAN AND VISITING CHINESE STUDENTS, THE

Social Behavior and Personality, 2005 by DiTommaso, Enrico, Brannen, Cyndi, Burgess, Melissa

We offer the results of the present study as evidence of the cross-cultural validity of attachment and loneliness, and the diversity of these constructs among cultures and genders. Further, we suggest that the numerous ways in which our findings can be interpreted as a result of geographical distance, inadequate measures, or cultural orientation may serve as a cautionary tale for other researchers. Chao (2001) has argued that the development of a culturally sensitive model of attachment requires the integration of universal plus culturally specific components. This approach could also be applied to the study of loneliness. Until such an integrated model is developed, we would argue that the results of any cross-cultural studies of attachment and/or loneliness, including the present one, should be interpreted with caution.

Of interest, the present study does highlight the importance of attachment and loneliness as measures of psychological adjustment for all students, regardless of culture. Also, the multiplicity of attachment relationships was supported by these results, and we urge researchers to consider this in future studies. In conclusion, the present results lend credence to the notion that gender and culture are crucial considerations of any research project, and should not be overlooked or considered secondarily.

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