Insecure attachment and relationship satisfaction: A meta-analysis of actor and partner associations

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the relationship between adult insecure attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and relationship satisfaction. We were interested in both the actor and the partner effects. In order to test these relationships, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on attachment and relationship satisfaction. We identified 132 eligible studies that were included in this meta-analysis. Based on previous literature, we hypothesised that: (1) there is a negative relationship between anxiety and relationship satisfaction; (2) there is a negative relationship between avoidance and relationship satisfaction; (3) the negative associations are true for both the actor and the partner effects; and (4) the relationship between adult attachment and relationship satisfaction vary according to publication type, study design, recruitment method, region, relationship status, age and relationship length. A quantitative analysis was conducted using meta-analytic techniques. The results confirmed the fact that there is a negative relationship between attachment insecurity and relationship satisfaction, and that the actor effect is stronger compared to the partner level. Moreover, the relationship between attachment insecurity and relationship satisfaction depends on publication type, age, relationship status, relationship length, and region. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.