Quantitative Correlation Research Paper
Cindra Maria George
COUN 0680 1S Research Methods in Counselling
Dr. Helen Noh
18th April 2023
SECTION I
The study is based on previous research that suggests that attachment theory is linked to emotional
and relational development. Individuals with a secure attachment style tend to have better
relationships, experience less anxiety, and have higher levels of well-being. Research has also
indicated a link between attachment and spiritual development, with individuals having secure
attachment styles being more likely to have positive spiritual experiences and feel more connected to
God. Moreover, Attachment theory suggests that the quality of early childhood attachment
experiences can have an impact on individuals' relationships and overall emotional well-being
throughout their lives.
The researchers hypothesized that secure attachment would positively influence spiritual maturity as
measured by their level of spiritual commitment, prayer life, and engagement with scripture. The
study posited three hypotheses. The first hypothesis was in line with previous research, suggesting
that individuals who reported secure attachment during childhood would have a strong likelihood of
reporting secure attachment in adulthood. The second hypothesis suggested that there would be a
positive correlation between secure adult attachment and spiritual maturity, including general,
intimacy with God and mature spiritually (vertical), and service-related aspects of spirituality
(horizontal). Finally, the third hypothesis proposed that secure adult attachment would be a stronger
predictor of total, vertical, and horizontal spiritual maturity than secure childhood attachment.
Based on this aim and hypothesis, the following are the three main questions (descriptive and
predictive) of the study:
1. Descriptive question: What is the relationship between secure attachment and spiritual maturity
among students at a conservative seminary? This question aims to describe the relationship between
secure attachment and spiritual maturity among students at a conservative seminary. The researchers
are interested in understanding whether secure attachment is positively or negatively associated with
spiritual maturity among students in this context.
2. Predictive question: Can secure attachment predict spiritual maturity among students at a
conservative seminary? This question aims to investigate whether secure attachment can predict
spiritual maturity among students at a conservative seminary. The researchers are interested in
understanding whether secure attachment is a significant predictor of spiritual maturity among
students in this context.
3. Predictive question: Does the relationship between secure attachment and spiritual maturity differ
among students at a conservative seminary compared to those in other contexts? This question aims to
investigate whether the relationship between secure attachment and spiritual maturity differs among
students at a conservative seminary compared to those in other contexts. The researchers are
interested in understanding whether the religiously conservative environment of the seminary
influences the relationship between secure attachment and spiritual maturity among students.
Overall, the main hypothesis of the study is that secure attachment positively influences spiritual
maturity among students at a conservative seminary. The researchers expect to find a positive
correlation between secure attachment and spiritual maturity, and they also expect secure attachment
to be a significant predictor of spiritual maturity among students in this context.
The two main constructs of this are Secure Attachment, which is focused on an individual’s ability to
form and maintain healthy and stable relationships through trust, social support and emotional
intimacy. The study drew a convenience sample of 216 students from Talbot School of Theology at
Biola University, with surveys being distributed in classes that were mandatory for all seminary
students. The sample consisted of 139 males and 77 females, with a majority of Caucasian and Asian
students (105 Caucasian, 81 Asian, 10 African-American, 7 Latino, and 13 participants who identified
themselves as "other",108 married).
The duration of having been a Christian varied within the sample, with a range of 2 to 50 and When it
came to the presence of fathers in the students' homes of origin, 121 students reported that their father
was present all the time, 51 reported he was present most of the time, 19 reported he was sometimes
present, 10 reported he was seldom present, and 13 reported having absent fathers. In contrast, 165
students reported that their mother was present all the time, 35 reported she was present most of the
time, 10 reported she was sometimes present, 1 reported she was seldom present, and 3 reported she
was never present.

The Faith Maturity Scale (FMS) was utilized to measure the dependent variable of spiritual
maturity in this study. Faith maturity, as defined in this research, is the extent to which an
individual embodies the priorities, commitments, and perspectives of a vibrant and lifetransforming faith in their relationships, as understood in mainline Protestant traditions. The
FMS consists of eight core dimensions of faith maturity, which are rated by participants using
a Likert scale of 1 to 7. The total measure of faith maturity includes all eight dimensions,
while three other dimensions are labelled Horizontal Faith Maturity and relate to an
individual’s relationship with others. The remaining two dimensions are integrated into Total
Faith Maturity. Internal consistency coefficients of .84 to .89 were reported for Total Faith
Maturity, and .84 to .90 for both Horizontal and Vertical Faith Maturity scales, indicating
construct validity.
Table I: Analysis for Variables Predicting Total Faith Maturity:

Childhood Attachment Measure was used to recall childhood attachment. Participants were
presented with three descriptions of their relationship with their mother and instructed to
choose one. Kirkpatrick and Shaver (1990) utilized this measure to assess childhood
attachment. The Secure description, which emphasizes warmth, responsiveness, and comfort,
is an example of one option presented to participants.

The Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) is a 25-item paper and pencil measure that assesses
the quality of parental relationships. The PBI separately evaluates subjects' memories of their
mother and father along two dimensions. The Care scale measures the recollected experience
of parental warmth, empathy, affection, and closeness, while the Overprotection scale
emphasizes memories of control, intrusion, and prevention of autonomous behaviour.
Participants rate each parent using a 4-point scale based on how accurately the item
corresponds with their memories of parental behaviour during their first 16 years of life.

The Attachment Style Questionnaire measures the security of attachment using the Secure
subscale. Test-retest reliability estimates were reported in an acceptable range. The validity of
the scales is indicated by the pattern of associations with Hazan and Shaver's (1987) measure
of attachment style and predictable patterns of correlation with measures of family
functioning and personality.
The study "The Role of Secure Attachment in Predicting Spiritual Maturity of Students at a
Conservative Seminary" by TenElshof and Judith K. Furrow has five control variables including age,
ethnicity, and religiousness of parents and participants. This implies that the study was designed to
ensure external validity, which refers to the generalizability of the findings beyond the specific sample
studied. By including control variables, the study aimed to account for potential confounding
variables that could affect the relationship between parental bonding and attachment style. This
increases the likelihood that the findings can be applied to other populations and contexts, making the
study more externally valid.
Overall, the study found a positive correlation between secure attachment and spiritual maturity,
suggesting that individuals who experience secure attachment in childhood are more likely to develop
higher levels of spiritual maturity. This study added to the increasing body of literature on how
attachment theory is linked to spiritual maturity, by providing empirical evidence. The results showed
that there were significant, positive connections between secure adult attachment and both total and
vertical spiritual maturity. While the relationship between secure adult attachment and horizontal faith
maturity was not as strong, it still existed to a certain extent.
However, the study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may
limit the generalizability of the findings. Secondly, the study focused exclusively on students at a
conservative seminary, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations and
contexts including a gender bias. Thirdly, the study relied on self-report measures, which may be
subject to bias or social desirability effects. Finally, the study did not explore the potential variables
that may affect the relationship between secure attachment and spiritual maturity. Despite these
limitations, the study is valuable in highlighting the importance of secure attachment in the
development of spiritual maturity, and the inclusion of control variables increases its external validity.
Future research could build on these findings by examining the role of other variables, such as
personality traits or cultural factors, in mediating or moderating the relationship between secure
attachment and spiritual maturity.
SECTION II
I believe this study indicated valuable insights into the relationship between secure attachment and
spiritual maturity among students at a conservative seminary. However, I think future research could
examine questions like:

How do the findings of this study apply to other populations or contexts,

What other variables may affect the relationship between secure attachment and spiritual
maturity and

How can future research address the limitations of this study to increase its generalizability
and applicability, based on the limitations mentioned above.
Another aspect of the study is, as spiritual life is a journey, students could report less positive
relationship with God and I wonder if that is factual or a momentary feeling of inadequacy of building
a relationship with God. Spiritual maturity also involves a spiritual relational or intimacy with God
that cannot be measured and can be tainted by our own view of inadequacy or even pride, that could
result in providing results in spiritual maturity better than it is. This feeling of pride or inadequacy in
the participants in their spiritual life, will also distort the results of the study.
Reference
TenElshof, J. K., Furrow, J. L., & Theological Research Exchange Network. (2000). The role of
secure attachment in predicting spiritual maturity of students at a conservative seminary (Ser.
Evangelical theological society papers, ets-0189). https://doi.org/10.2986/tren.ETS-0189