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tions of resources, and relational tensions (Kim, and self -esteem (Befus, 2018; Dodds & Dodds,
2012). Under stress, attachment-based Internal 2003; Eenigenburg & Bliss, 2010), the percep-
Working Models activate, leading to thoughts, tion of self which, in attachment language,
emotions, and behaviors consistent with the manifests as an Internal Working Model. Mo-
particular internalized working model (Cozoli- reover, according to Sochos and Diniz (2012)
no, 2010; Kemp & Neimeyer, 1999). Attachment a central finding in attachment research is the
styles influence the overall perception of stress link between attachment insecurity and clini-
(Kemp & Neimeyer, 1999; Koopman et al., 2000; cal distress. Sochos and Diniz (2012) further
Krenke-Seiffge, 2006) as well as how well emo- that insecurely attached individuals experience
tions are regulated (Kring & Sloan, 2010; Kring difficulties in establishing supportive and satis-
& Werner, 2004; Mikulincer & Florian, 1995, fying relationships with others and often have
1998; Schore, 2000, 2002; Schore & Schore, a restricted capacity to deal with environmen-
2008; Wei et al., 2005). How well missionaries tal demands. They frequently find themselves
regulate emotions can be a determining factor highly stressed with none to turn to, creating
in their overall success in missionary service a fertile ground for clinical levels of distress
(Cousineau, Hall, Rosik, & Hall, 2010; Graybill, to develop (Sochos & Diniz, 2012). Taken to-
2001; Lindquist, 1997). Generally speaking, in- gether, these attachment -related schemas have
dividuals with anxious attachment systems de- the potential to impact functioning in cross-
monstrate an inability to regulate emotions well cultural contexts.
(Wei, Vogel, Ku, & Zakalik, 2005). The extremes A number of other attachment-related factors
of overreacting to even small stressors leads to have also been identified within the broad con-
catastrophic thinking (Mikulincer & Florian, text of acculturation, a number of which may
1998). The avoidant attachment style, in additi- impact placement or services provides for the
on to interpersonal disengagement, suppressed missionary. Some of these factors include app-
emotions may manifest in physical illness or raisal (Mikulincer & Florian, 1995) and locus of
complaints (Feeney, 2000; Zech, de Ree, Beren- control (Dilmaç, Hamarta, & Arslan, 2009), the
schot, & Strobe, 2006) and both extremes can types of support sought, expectancy of support
lead to maladaptive functioning and interper- (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2009; Shaver & Mikulin-
sonal conflicts in cross-cultural work. cer, 2002), as well as the perception of support
For some, the acculturation stress will be a received (DeFronzo, Panzarella, & Butler, 2001
welcome challenge and not perceived as over- Huff, 2001;Ognibene & Collins, 1998; Priel &
whelming. However, due to the ambiguity, the Shamai, 1995; Smith, 2004). Attachment sty-
constant flux of the unknown, lack of routines, le also influences pro-social behaviors (Miku-
schedule and order, it may be difficult for those lincer & Shaver, 2010), along with social com-
prone to insecure or anxious attachment styles petencies (Mallinckrodt, 2000, 2001), social
to navigate the myriad of changes. Notwithstan- connectedness (Wei, Wang, Heppner, & Du,
ding, acculturation is a process that requires a 2012), and dependence on others (Wei, Russell,
great deal of coping including flexibility and Mallinckrodt, & Vogel, 2007). Care or help-
resilience, which are intricately related to at- giving behaviors (Keister, 2010; Mallinckrodt
tachment style (Siegel, 1999). And resilience, & Wei, 2005; Mikulincer, Shaver, Gillath, and
the ability to rebound after stressful events, is Nitzberg, 2005; Vogel & Wei, 2005), gratitude,
a highly valued quality in missionaries (Owen, altruism, and compassion (Mikulincer & Sha-
2002). In addition to resilience (Schore, 2000; ver, 2005), self-compassion and empathy (Wei,
Siegel, 1999), associated factors such as core be- Liao, Ku, & Shaffer, 2011) are also all functions
liefs of one’s abilities, self -adequacy, and perso- of attachment. In addition, attachment sche-
nal identity are also influenced by attachment mas influence psychological help-seeking be-
style (Foster, Kernis, & Goldman, 2007; Haup- haviors (Shaffer et al., 2006), attitudes toward
ner-Kipna, 2000; Lopez & Brennan, 2000; Van self-disclosure (Mikulincer & Nachshon, 1991)
Buren & Cooley, 2002). In fact, the acculturati- and specifically self-disclosure about emotional
on process can severely interrupt one’s identity states (Zech et al., 2006). Missionary life may

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