Family-of-Origin, Relationship Self-Regulation, and Attachment in Marital Relationships

Abstract

Within the framework of the vulnerability-stress adaptation model, we created an actor partner interdependence model to assess the relationships between negative family-of-origin experiences and relationship self-regulation, a type of relationship maintenance, and the mediating potential of partner attachment behaviors. We analyzed data from 261 heterosexual married couples in matched-pair sets from the Relationship Evaluation database (see www.relate-institute.org). Results indicated that negative family-of-origin experiences were positively associated with relationship self-regulation and secure attachment behaviors. We also found that attachment behaviors mediated the relationship between negative family-of-origin experiences and relationship self-regulation. These findings demonstrate particular clinical relevance for strengthening attachment in couples therapy.