Attachment and psychological well-being in a group of lay and consecrated Catholics: Between contemplative vocation and active apostolate

The differences in attachment and psychological well-being (PWB) between lay and ordained Roman Catholics were explored. Ninety-four participants (42 lay and 52 ordained) completed self-report questionnaires for the assessment of PWB, adult and childhood attachment, attachment to God, and social desirability. Using lay/ordained status as independent variable, multivariate analyses of variance were conducted in order to examine the differences in the dimensions of attachment and PWB. Compared to the lay counterparts, ordained Roman Catholics appeared more avoiding (less positive model of the other) and less preoccupied (more positive model of the self) with their “earthly” relationships. In addition, they resulted less depressed (p = .004), anxious (p = .001) and dependent on external regulators of emotions (p < .001). Results lose their significance after controlling for social desirability; however, in light of the particularities of the sample, a substantive (as opposed to stylistic) interpretation of the covariate was suggested.