The relationship between adult attachment styles and work-related self-perceptions for Australian paediatric occupational therapists

Introduction: An attachment framework has been increasingly employed to inform our understanding of the ways in which early childhood relationships have an impact upon people's adaptation to the workplace. Evidence supports the presence of four attachment-related work orientations in adulthood (secure, cautious, support-seeking and self-reliant), which correspond to a secure and three insecure attachment patterns in early childhood. Although these work orientations have been investigated in several working populations, they have not yet been considered within a sample of occupational therapists. Method: The present exploratory study considered the results of a nationwide survey of 486 paediatric occupational therapists, and investigated the associations between attachment styles and a range of demographic variables and work-related self-perceptions. Results: Consistent with hypotheses, those with a secure attachment style reported a high investment of skill and energy in their job and low levels of overcommitment. Conversely, cautious attachment and, to a lesser extent, support-seeking attachment were linked with feeling overcommitted and perceiving low returns in terms of recognition and prestige from their work. Conclusion: Understanding how practitioners' predominant attachment style is associated with work-related self-perceptions may offer insights into their behaviours and needs. This, in turn, can inform the provision of appropriate supports, with potential benefits for staff satisfaction, retention, health, wellbeing and, ultimately, client care.