Adult Romantic Attachment and Couple Conflict Behaviors: Intimacy as a Multi-Dimensional Mediator

Tina D Du Rocher Schudlich,Kristen A Stouder,Nicole M Stettler,Chelsea Harrington

doi:10.5964/ijpr.v7i1.107

Abstract

This study investigated associations between adult romantic attachment and couples’ conflict behaviors and the potential mediating role of intimacy. A community sample of 74 couples reported on their attachment security style on the Attachment Style Measure (ASM) (Simpson, 1990) and on multiple dimensions of intimacy on the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR) (Schaefer & Olson, 1981). Couples’ conflict behaviors were assessed via behavioral observations and coded for positive and negative dimensions of conflict. Path analyses indicated numerous actor and partner effects in the links between attachment, intimacy, and conflict. For men, both avoidant and anxious attachment styles were predictive of their own and their partner’s intimacy. For women though, both secure and avoidant attachment styles were predictive of their own and their partner’s intimacy. For men, all domains of intimacy were predictive of their own or their partner’s conflict behaviors. For women, only emotional intimacy was predictive of conflict behaviors. All domains of men’s intimacy emerged as significant mediators of associations between attachment and couples’ conflict behaviors. For women, only emotional intimacy mediated these associations. Implications for the treatment of relationally-discordant couples are discussed.

Highlights

This study investigated associations between adult romantic attachment and couples’ conflict behaviors and the potential mediating role of intimacy
Researchers have documented clear associations between attachment styles and conflict behaviors (e.g. Creasey, 2002; Pistole & Arricale, 2003), further clarification of the underlying processes linking these two constructs remains an important area of examination in order to delineate explanatory processes that may become a focus for therapeutic intervention
Based on an attachment theory framework, in the present study we sought to examine how feelings of intimacy may mediate the relationship between attachment styles and conflict behaviors

Summary

Introduction

This study investigated associations between adult romantic attachment and couples’ conflict behaviors and the potential mediating role of intimacy. Individuals classified as having a secure representation of attachment have experienced consistent caring responses from their attachment figure, and subsequently can effectively use their partner as a source of comfort and emotion regulation, while simultaneously serving as a source of comfort and regulation for their partners. Those with insecure attachment styles do not expect their attachment figure to be consistently available or responsive, because of past experiences (Ainsworth et al, 1978; Bowlby, 1980). Those with insecure attachments perceive conflict as more negative (Pistole & Arricale, 2003), which both tests their ability to regulate their own emotions, and effectively turn to their partner to ameliorate conflict-related distress (Feeney, 2008)

Methods

Results

Conclusion