The Relationships among Shyness, Shame, and Attachment Style with Respect to College Student Persistence and Grade Point Average

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between attachment style, shyness, shame, and college persistence and grade point average. While considerable research was conducted to examine these variables in children, less is known about how these variables interact in a college setting. This study used a quantitative, non-experimental correlational design to analyze these variables in relation to college freshman students at a for-profit university, with locations throughout the United States. Over 2,000 freshman students between 18 and 40 received e-mails via the university’s communication department asking them to participate in this study by responding to three surveys. Participants completed The Experiences in Close Relationships to measure attachment style, the Cheek and Buss Shyness scale to measure shyness, and the Compass of Shame scale to measure shame. Persistence was measured by examining whether students were registered and attending classes the semester following the survey distribution. Students also completed a demographic survey. In all, 143 participants completed surveys, with a final sample of 99 once the data were analyzed for transfer credit and outliers. Results were examined using logistic regression analysis to determine relationships between attachment style, shyness, shame, and persistence. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze relationships between the predictor variables and cumulative grade point average. Results of this study indicated that there were no significant relationships between the predictor variables and persistence and grade point average. A discussion of results explores possible explanations including recommendations for future research in regards to attachment style, shyness, shame and their impact on college student success.