Adult Attachment Internal Working Model of Self and Other, Self-Esteem and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction in Chinese Culture: By Multilevel–Multigroup Structural Equation Modelling

Abstract

It was discovered that self-esteem could have a significant and positive contribution to an individual’s romantic relationship satisfaction. Over decades, researches found that secure attachment could have significant and positive impacts on self-esteem as well as romantic relationship satisfaction. In the current research, internal working model of self and other, which serve as an individual’s lifelong schema, was found to bear impact on self-concept and romantic relationship satisfaction. The self-model was discovered to have a significant and positive contribution to self-esteem and romantic relationship satisfaction. The findings of the current research can further extend the previous studies on the relationship between self-esteem and romantic relationship satisfaction. On top of the previous relevant research findings, the self-model was found to be the precursor influencing self-esteem and resulting in change in romantic relationship satisfaction. In consequence, mentalization-based treatment could be adopted to deal with attachment-related issues at individual levels. The conventional couple therapy could be reduced from a dyadic to an individual level which is more practical and cost-effective.