Perceiving that one's partner is supportive moderates the associations among attachment insecurity and psychosexual variables

Abstract

Attachment representations are associated with psychosexual adjustment in intimate relationships (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). Few studies, however, have investigated relationship processes modulating the effect of attachment insecurity on sexuality (Dewitte, 2012). This study examined whether perceived partner support moderates associations among romantic attachment (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) and sexual self-esteem, sexual anxiety, and sexual assertiveness in individuals involved in a romantic relationship (N=214). Results showed that individuals high on avoidance reported lower sexual self-esteem and assertiveness, as well as more sexual anxiety. Unexpectedly, they reported more sexual anxiety and poorer sexual assertiveness when partner support was perceived to be high. Moreover, low perceived partner support was related to higher sexual self-esteem in women scoring high on attachment avoidance whereas high perceived partner support was related to higher sexual self-esteem in men scoring high on avoidance. Individuals scoring high on attachment anxiety reported poorer sexual self-esteem and more sexual anxiety when partner support was perceived to be low, but attachment anxiety was unrelated to either sexual anxiety or self-esteem when partner support was perceived to be high. Findings are consistent with attachment theory and suggest clinical implications for individuals presenting with attachment insecurity.