Psychologie a její kontexty, Vol.8, No.2
Work-life balance u pedagogů základních škol ve světle teorie vztahové vazby
Work-life balance in the light of the adult attachment theory in teachers of elementary schools
Jan Střelel, Martin Seitl
Teorie vztahové vazby v dospělosti je slibným konstruktem pro porozumění vztahovosti
a interpersonální adaptaci jedince s aplikacemi prorůstajícími do řady psychologických
disciplín včetně psychologie práce a organizace. Hlavním cílem výzkumu byla komplexní
analýza work-life balance z pohledu teorie a jednotlivých vazebných stylů s důrazem na rozdíly
mezi jednotlivými styly. Sběr dat byl realizován pomocí škály ECR-CZ a polostrukturovaného
interview. Dotazníkového šetření se zúčastnilo 78 zaměstnanců základních škol, následně
proběhlo 15 interview s respondenty záměrně vybranými dle vztahových vazeb. K analýze
bylo využito postupů zakotvené teorie. Výsledky nasvědčují značnému významu teorie
v pracovním prostředí a rozdílům v chování zaměstnanců dle stylů vztahové vazby v obou
výzkumných oblastech.
Klíčová slova:
vztahová vazba v dospělosti, work-life balance, pracovní mobilita
The main aim of this study was to examine the influence of attachment styles in work-life
balance. Prior research has demonstrated that attachment styles are important antecedents
of interpersonal relationship quality and psychological well-being (Mikulincer & Shaver,
2007). Despite this, the theory of attachment styles has been largely ignored by researchers
interested in workplace phenomena. When researchers began exploring the nature of adult
attachment, they primarily focused on romantic relationships. Implementation of the theory
into organizational settings began with topics such as leadership dynamics where the parent
to child parallel is fairly obvious (Harms, 2011). Over the past two decades, however, number
of studies have attempted to examine the role of attachment styles and a variety of behaviors,
attitudes, and experiences in the workplace setting (e.g. Richards & Schat, 2011; Geller &
Bamberger, 2009).
The research sample consisted of 78 female middle school teachers. Data collection consisted
of attachment style diagnostics using the Czech version of Experiences in Close Relationships
and semistructured interview assessing respondents’ work-life. Depending on the attachment
style, 15 interviews were conducted covering an equal number of secure, anxious and
avoidant respondents. Using methodology of grounded theory, data analysis consisted of
coding transcripted interviews, identifying key points and grouping them into concepts and
categories. Results indicate that individuals with anxious attachment were more likely to
experience negative spillover in both directions. Purely positive spillover occurred mainly
among secure individuals. Avoidant individuals tended towards segmentation between
domains. Secures mostly identified with their work, and individuals with ambivalent
attachment fluctuated between segmentation and identification. Different reactions to
authority confrontation were also found. Individuals with anxious attachment tend to
subordinate to authorities. Avoidant indiviuals showed more assertiveness and resistance.
Secure indiviuals acknowledged both personal and role dimentions. According to the study
of Summer and Knight (2001), individuals with anxious attachment experience higher levels
of negative spillover from home to work than did secures and avoidants. Secure individuals
were also more likely to experience positive spillover in both directions. Prior research
suggests that securely attached individuals are able to prevent the spreading of negative
affect (Mikulincer & Orbach, 1995), are more likely to use constructive coping strategies in
dealing with stress (Mikulincer, Florian, & Weller, 1993). Kahn and Kram (1994) suggested
authority stances similar to our findings and proposed independent, counterdependent and
dependent internal models of authority which correspond to attachment styles. Limitations
of the study are in the specific research sample and its size. Further research applicating
quantitative methods is advised.
Keywords:
adult attachment, work-life balance, job mobility