How Do Partner Support, Psychological Aggression, and Attachment Anxiety Contribute to Distressed Couples’ Relationship Outcomes?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Thalie Labonté ◽  
Caroline Dugal ◽  
Marie-France Lafontaine ◽  
Audrey Brassard ◽  
Katherine Péloquin
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Partner Support ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Relationship Outcomes

Exploring Insecure Romantic Attachment and Justifications for the Use of Intimate Partner Psychological Aggression in Couples

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110551
Author(s):  
Marie-Eve Leclerc ◽  
Marie-France Lafontaine ◽  
Audrey Brassard ◽  
Katherine Péloquin
Keyword(s):  
Community Sample ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
And Function

The attachment theory has commonly been used to examine intimate partner psychological aggression (IPPA), but few studies have examined its association with self-reported justifications for one’s own use of IPPA. Behaviors, including the use of IPPA, are influenced, maintained, and function within the context of their justifications, highlighting the importance of investigating these justifications to obtain a clearer picture of IPPA. This study examined whether insecure romantic attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) in both partners of a couple was associated with their justifications for their own use of IPPA. A community sample of 81 mixed-sex couples who reported using IPPA in the last year completed self-reported questionnaires on adult romantic attachment and their justifications for their use of IPPA. Results of a path analysis based on the actor-partner interdependence model revealed moderate positive associations between attachment anxiety and one’s use of internal and external justifications for their IPPA perpetration in men and women. An unexpected dyadic positive association is discussed. These results suggest that the use of justifications for one’s use of IPPA may reflect a strategy of hyperactivation that could contribute to the cycle of psychological aggression. Uncovering the function of these justifications could provide important therapeutic benefits, which are discussed in the study’s implications.

Predicting Partner Enhancement in Marital Relationships: The Family of Origin, Attachment, and Social Network Approval

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (15) ◽  
pp. 2178-2199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean M. Busby ◽  
Jeremy Boden ◽  
Sylvia Niehuis ◽  
Alan Reifman ◽  
Jacki Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Family Of Origin ◽  
Marital Relationships ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
The Family ◽  
Ecosystemic Model ◽  
Relational Process

Partner enhancement is an important relational process that has been linked to better relationship outcomes in existing research. However, little is known about variables that might be associated with the practice of partner enhancement. In this study, we utilized an ecosystemic model with a sample of 1,432 couples and an actor/partner interdependence model to explore whether the family of origin, attachment avoidance and anxiety, and social network approval predicted partner enhancement scores. The results indicated that the family of origin was only indirectly associated with partner enhancement through attachment and social network approval. The best predictors of partner enhancement were attachment avoidance and social network approval. Higher scores on actor attachment avoidance were related to higher scores on partner enhancement contrary to expectations. Curiously, partner effects for attachment avoidance were the opposite in that higher scores were associated with lower levels of partner enhancement. Attachment anxiety was associated with lower scores on partner enhancement for both actor and partner effects, and social network approval was associated with higher scores on partner enhancement.

Mean, uncommitted, and aggressive: Divergent associations between triarchic psychopathy, elements of love, and caustic relationship behaviors

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1193-1215
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Y. Mejia ◽  
John J. Donahue ◽  
Sally D. Farley
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Partner Aggression ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Intimate Partner Aggression

Two studies explored how the triarchic dimensions of psychopathy predicted relationship outcomes in nonclinical samples. In Study 1, using a predominantly student sample ( N = 100, 24% men, 76% women), results revealed significant negative associations between meanness and Sternberg’s (1997) components of love (intimacy, passion, and commitment). In Study 2, using a more gender-balanced online community sample ( N = 125, 53% men, 47% women), we replicated results from Study 1 and found additional negative associations between self-reported physical aggression, psychological aggression and love in intimate relationships. Further, multivariate analyses revealed that deficits in love explained incremental variance in intimate partner aggression, over and above the triarchic constructs of meanness and disinhibition. Implications for how dimensions of psychopathy manifest in close intimate relationships are discussed.

Attachment Styles, Negotiation of Goal Conflict, and Perceived Partner Support During COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Marika Vowels ◽  
Katherine Carnelley
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Daily Diary ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Partner Support ◽  
Goal Conflict ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Sources Of Support ◽  
The Relationship

Due to the pandemic, people have been stuck indoors with their partners for months. Instead of being able to rely on multiple sources of support, many couples have to rely on each other more. We investigated whether goal conflict, successful negotiation of the conflict, and individual differences in attachment styles were associated with partner support to understand factors that may enable or hinder goal pursuit during the pandemic. Participants (n=200) completed a daily diary for a week and weekly longitudinal reports for five weeks. Results showed that higher goal conflict was associated with perception of less relational catalyst (RC) support and more anti-RC support from partner, whereas more successful negotiation of goal conflict was associated with higher RC support and lower anti-RC support. Negotiation of goal conflict also partially mediated the association between goal conflict and support. Attachment avoidance was directly associated with less support whereas attachment anxiety moderated the relationship between goal conflict and support. Implications for partner support during the pandemic are discussed.

For the love of money: The role of financially contingent self-worth in romantic relationships

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752199166
Author(s):  
Deborah E. Ward ◽  
Lora E. Park ◽  
Courtney M. Walsh ◽  
Kristin Naragon-Gainey ◽  
Elaine Paravati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Partner Support ◽  
Financial Success ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Love Of Money ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
The Love Of Money

Financial conflicts are among the top reasons for dissatisfaction and dissolution in romantic relationships. Beyond economic strain, however, few studies have examined the psychological antecedents of financial conflicts that contribute to relationship satisfaction. The present research examined whether basing one’s self-esteem on financial success was associated with greater perceived financial conflicts with one’s partner and worse relationship outcomes. A cross-sectional study ( N = 167), dyadic study ( N = 193 couples), and a 6-week diary study ( N = 74 couples) revealed that participants with financially contingent self-worth reported having more financial conflicts with their partner, which was associated with lower relationship satisfaction and perceived partner support. In a final experiment ( N = 337), participants who were led to expect many (vs. few) benefits of financial success based their current self-worth more on money, showed greater conflict responses to financial scenarios involving their partner, and reported lower relationship satisfaction and perceived partner support.

scholarly journals Volatility in daily relationship quality

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley N. Cooper ◽  
Casey J. Totenhagen ◽  
Brandon T. McDaniel ◽  
Melissa A. Curran
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Daily Diaries ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Attachment Orientations ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Relationship

Previous research on attachment orientations has focused on how attachment is associated with levels of relationship quality; however, the nature of associations with variability over time ( volatility) on relationship quality remains unclear. Couples who are higher in volatility have poorer relationship outcomes, thus it is important to understand factors that influence volatility. We used 7-day daily diaries with both members of 157 heterosexual couples to analyze associations between actor and partner reports of attachment anxiety and avoidance and gender in associations with both general levels of relationship quality and volatility in daily relationship quality. Overall, we found that regardless of gender, attachment avoidance was linked with decreased levels of relationship quality for both actors and partners. Gender differences in volatility of daily relationship quality emerged such that women’s attachment influenced both their own and their male partner’s volatility. Women’s attachment anxiety was positively associated with volatility for both their own and their partner’s relationship quality. Women’s attachment avoidance was also negatively associated with volatility in their partner’s relationship quality. We discuss how attachment avoidance is a greater predictor for average levels of daily relationship quality, whereas attachment anxiety drives volatility in daily feelings about the relationship. Further, conflict is an important factor to consider in these links between attachment anxiety and volatility in relationship quality; on days when individuals reported greater conflict than usual, they reported lower relationship quality, and this association was stronger for those whose partners were high in attachment anxiety. We explore implications for research and practice.

scholarly journals Young men's intimate partner violence and relationship functioning: long-term outcomes associated with suicide attempt and aggression in adolescence

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 759-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. R. Kerr ◽  
D. M. Capaldi
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
Adolescent Aggression ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

BackgroundLongitudinal research supports that suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescence predict maladjustment in young adulthood. Prior research supports links between suicide attempt and aggression, perhaps because of a propensity for impulsive behavior in states of high negative affect that underlies both problems. Such vulnerability may increase risk for intimate partner violence and generally poor young adulthood relational adjustment.MethodA total of 153 men participated in annual assessments from ages 10–32 years and with a romantic partner at three assessments from ages 18–25 years. Multi-method/multi-informant constructs were formed for parent/family risk factors, adolescent psychopathology (e.g. suicide-attempt history, mother-, father-, teacher- and self-reported physical aggression) and young adulthood relational distress (jealousy and low relationship satisfaction) and maladaptive relationship behavior (observed, self- and partner-reported physical and psychological aggression toward a partner, partner-reported injury, official domestic violence arrest records and relationship instability).ResultsAcross informants, adolescent aggression was correlated with suicide-attempt history. With few exceptions, aggression and a suicide attempt in adolescence each predicted negative romantic relationship outcomes after controlling for measured confounds. Adolescent aggression predicted young adulthood aggression toward a partner, in part, via relationship dissatisfaction.ConclusionsBoys' aggression and suicide-attempt history in adolescence each predict poor relationship outcomes, including partner violence, in young adulthood. Findings are consistent with the theory of a trait-like vulnerability, such as impulsive aggression, that undermines adaptation across multiple domains in adolescence and young adulthood. Prevention and intervention approaches can target common causes of diverse public health problems.

When Slights Beget Slights

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1693-1708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kassandra Cortes ◽  
Anne E. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Subjective Time ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Relational Outcomes ◽  
Positive Memories ◽  
Negative Memories ◽  
Subjective Representation

Every close relationship has a history, but how people manage their relational past varies and can have important implications in the present. The current research investigated the role of subjective representation of time: How feeling subjectively close (vs. distant) to a past relational transgression (vs. kind act) predicted “kitchen thinking”—the tendency to bring to mind relational past memories in new, unrelated contexts. We explored the role of attachment anxiety as a predictor of subjective time perception and kitchen thinking. We found support for our hypothesis that when negative memories felt subjectively closer relative to positive memories, people were more likely to kitchen think (Studies 1-3). Kitchen thinking, in turn, predicted negative relationship outcomes (Study 4). Furthermore, people high (vs. low) in attachment anxiety were less likely to perceive the timing of their relational memories adaptively, accounting for more kitchen thinking and in turn, maladaptive relational outcomes.

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