The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships among adult attachment according to two dimensions (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance), breakup distress and growth following dissolutions of romantic relationship. For this purpose, the research model and alternative models with various paths among attachment dimensions, together with the breakup distress and growth was set and they were further tested on whether the research model was the best fit by using structural equation modeling. The second purpose of this study is to verify whether contingencies of self-worth (CSW) has moderating effects between adult attachment and breakup distress, upon the research model comparing adult attachment and growth. 1,524 university students responded to the survey and data of 233 students experienced breakups within 6 months were used for statistic analysis. The results were as follows: First, it was shown that attachment anxiety positively affects breakup distress, meaning that the higher the level of attachment anxiety, the higher the breakup distress. Second, it was shown that attachment avoidance negatively affects growth, indicating that attachment avoidance hinders growth. Third, the relationship between breakup distress and growth was identified to be independent. Fourth, others’ approvals of CSW moderated the relationships between attachment anxiety and breakup distress. Theoretical and clinical implications as well as the limitations were discussed.
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