Modeling the hierarchical structure of attachment representations: A test of domain differentiation

Abstract

This research examined the hierarchical structure of attachment representations by directly measuring both global attachment orientations within distinct relationship domains (romantic, familial, and friendship), and attachment within a comprehensive range of specific relationships within each of these domains (e.g., current romantic partner, mother, best friend). In two independent samples, Hierarchical Linear Modeling analyses demonstrated that domain-specific representations were strongly associated with attachment ratings of specific relationships within that same domain (domain-relationship congruent associations) but were not (in general) associated with ratings of relationship-specific attachment in other domains (domain-relationship incongruent associations). These results provide evidence for the domain differentiation of multiple attachment representations – a defining feature of a hierarchically organized attachment representational network. Directions for future research integrating representations of attachment-related domains with the higher-order personality-esque component of the attachment representational hierarchy are briefly discussed.