scholarly journals Changes in Attachment and Commitment in Couples Transitioning to Parenthood

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110269
Author(s):  
Rose Lapolice Thériault ◽  
Audrey Brassard ◽  
Anne-Sophie Gingras ◽  
Anne Brault-Labbé ◽  
Marie-France Lafontaine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Relationship Commitment ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Major Transition ◽  
Bidirectional Associations ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

This study examined whether attachment predicts changes in commitment and whether commitment predicts changes in attachment in both partners during the transition to parenthood. Both partners of 93 couples completed online questionnaires individually at the second trimester of pregnancy and at 4 months postpartum. Autoregressive cross-lagged path analyses based on the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model tested the bidirectional associations between attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) and three modes of commitment (optimal, over-commitment, and under-commitment). Results revealed that for both partners, prenatal attachment avoidance was associated with a decrease in optimal commitment and an increase in under-commitment from pre- to postpartum. Fathers’ attachment anxiety was associated with a decrease in mothers’ under-commitment. Furthermore, prenatal optimal commitment was associated with a decrease in attachment avoidance, whereas under-commitment was associated with an increase in attachment avoidance. Fathers’ prenatal over-commitment was associated with an increase in their own attachment anxiety and avoidance. These results highlight how attachment insecurities and relationship commitment interrelate during this major transition.

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.

Different effects of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on depressive symptoms: A meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 3028-3050
Author(s):  
Leying Zheng ◽  
Yadan Luo ◽  
Xu Chen
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cultural Orientation ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions ◽  
Significant Moderator

Although insecure adult attachment is thought to be associated with depressive symptoms, results of research on the link between attachment dimensions (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and depressive symptoms have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to use meta-analysis to examine the strength of the correlations between the two attachment dimensions and depressive symptoms. A total of 64 papers and 78 independent samples were included in this meta-analysis. Results showed significant associations between both attachment dimensions and depressive symptoms. Additional analyses indicated that attachment anxiety was more strongly related to depressive symptoms, whereas attachment avoidance was weakly related to depressive symptoms. Cultural orientation and sex were found to moderate the relationship between attachment anxiety and depressive symptoms. Age was a significant moderator of the relationships between both attachment anxiety and avoidance and depressive symptoms. Results of the meta-analysis and the implications were discussed.

Romantic attachment and mate retention behavior: The mediating role of perceived risk of partner infidelity

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 940-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Barbaro ◽  
Yael Sela ◽  
Mohammad Atari ◽  
Todd K. Shackelford ◽  
Virgil Zeigler-Hill
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Psychological Perspective ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Mate Retention ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Attachment Dimensions ◽  
Retention Study

Previous research indicates that the romantic attachment dimensions of anxiety and avoidance are associated with performance frequency of Benefit-Provisioning and Cost-Inflicting domains of mate retention. The current research aimed to replicate previous findings in a non-Western sample (Iran, Study 1) and to extend this research by investigating the mediating role of perceived risk of partner infidelity (Study 2). Studies 1 and 2 tested the hypotheses that attachment anxiety is positively associated with mate retention and that attachment avoidance is negatively associated with mate retention. Study 2 tested the hypothesis perceived risk of partner infidelity mediate the association between attachment dimensions and mate retention domains. Results of Studies 1 and 2 replicated previous research and also revealed that perceived risk of partner infidelity mediated the association between attachment anxiety, specifically, and mate retention. The current research advances our understanding of romantic attachment from an evolutionary psychological perspective.

Adult attachment and jealousy of the partner–infant relationship at the transition to parenthood

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1745-1765
Author(s):  
Anna L. Olsavsky ◽  
Meghna S. Mahambrey ◽  
Miranda N. Berrigan ◽  
Sarah J. Schoppe-Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Dual Earner ◽  
Early Postpartum ◽  
Expectant Mothers ◽  
Using Data

Using data from a sample of 182 dual-earner different-gender couples who were followed across their transition to parenthood, we adopted a dyadic approach to examine associations between expectant mothers’ and fathers’ attachment anxiety and avoidance in the third trimester of pregnancy and their own and their partners’ jealousy of the partner–infant relationship at 3 months postpartum. Results of an actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) revealed that expectant mothers and fathers higher in attachment anxiety reported greater jealousy of the partner–infant relationship at 3 months postpartum. The partners of expectant mothers and fathers higher in attachment anxiety also reported greater jealousy of the partner–infant relationship. There were no parent gender differences in actor or partner paths linking attachment anxiety and jealousy. Attachment avoidance was not associated with one’s own or one’s partner’s jealousy of the partner–infant relationship. An exploratory mediation analysis revealed greater jealousy of the partner–infant relationship as a potential mechanism linking higher attachment anxiety to lower dyadic adjustment at 9 months postpartum. Overall, results suggest that attachment anxiety in either partner may precipitate maladaptive relationship dynamics in the early postpartum period that may ultimately interfere with the establishment and maintenance of healthy parent–child and coparenting relationships.

scholarly journals Attachment-related differences in dispositional anger and its experience and expression following an insult-based anger induction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zara Brodie ◽  
Karen Goodall ◽  
Stephen Darling ◽  
Chris McVittie
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Trait Anger ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Significant Independent Predictor ◽  
Anger Suppression ◽  
Taylor Aggression Paradigm ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

Variation in how individuals experience and express anger has been linked to their attachment style, particularly in close interpersonal contexts. However, little research has investigated attachment-related differences in anger and aggression in non-relational settings. This multi-method investigation reports two studies. The first investigated associations between adult attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) in 270 participants. The second describes a lab-based anger provocation task, based on a modified version of the Taylor Aggression Paradigm, which examined associations between attachment dimensions and pre-post test change in self-reported anger, physiological responses, anger suppression and aggressive responding (N = 77). Results from study 1 indicate that attachment anxiety was a significant independent predictor of trait anger, while attachment avoidance was not. There were no significant interaction effects, suggesting distinct effects of attachment dimensions on anger. In study 2, attachment avoidance was negatively related to anger change scores from baseline to post-provocation and positively to anger suppression (measured by the discrepancy between self-report and physiological measures). Attachment anxiety was positively associated with aggressive responding. In summary, the findings support the high arousal-low control style previously associated with attachment anxiety, evidenced by elevated trait anger and higher aggressive responding. They also align with previous studies that support an association between attachment avoidance and emotion suppression, suggesting that the attachment framework can be usefully extended to understand anger and aggression in non-relational contexts.

Fathers’ Satisfaction With Physical Affection Before and After the Birth of a New Baby: Cross-Parent Effects and Associations With Family Dynamics

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-436
Author(s):  
Yasemin Cava-Tadik ◽  
Geoffrey L. Brown ◽  
Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Household Labor ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Couple And Family Therapy ◽  
Division Of Household Labor ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Physical Affection ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Therapy Education

This study examined the correlates of fathers’ satisfaction with physical affection (SPA) in their marital relationship before and after the birth of a new baby. Both parents ( N = 97) completed surveys assessing SPA, and fathers completed surveys assessing division of household labor and coparenting quality during the third trimester of pregnancy and again at 3 months post-birth. An actor-partner interdependence model revealed partner effects, such that mothers’ SPA post-birth was predicted by fathers’ SPA pre-birth but not viceversa. Cross-lagged path analyses indicated that fathers who have high SPA pre-birth reported more supportive coparenting post-birth. Furthermore, fathers who believed pre-birth that they would be more involved in child-related household labor had increased SPA after the birth of a new baby. Results are discussed in terms of implications for couple and family therapy, education for new fathers, as well as programs designed to support parents during the transition to parenthood.

Forgiveness and Attachment: A Link that Survives the Grave?

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Gassin ◽  
Gregory J. Lengel
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Deceased Person ◽  
Reliable Predictor ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

The current project consists of two studies assessing the relationship between two attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) and forgiveness in the context of bereavement. Using these two dimensions, the authors explore whether or not general attachment style and attachment to a deceased person in particular predict the degree to which one will forgive that individual. While most previous studies of extending forgiveness to living individuals suggest attachment anxiety is a more robust predictor of forgiveness, the current studies point to attachment avoidance as a more reliable predictor. The authors consider developmental and cultural factors in explaining the results and note implications for pastors and therapists.

Rorschach Texture Responses Are Related to Adult Attachment via Tactile Imagery and Emotion

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Iwasa ◽  
Toshiki Ogawa
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Poisson Regression ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Poisson Regression Analysis ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

This study examined an underlying mechanism of the relationships among Rorschach texture responses and adult attachment dimensions (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance), focusing on the vividness of tactile imagery and emotion as mediators. In Study 1, Japanese undergraduate students (n = 20) completed the Rorschach and the Vividness of Tactile Imagery Scale. A poisson regression analysis revealed that greater vividness of tactile imagery was associated with an increased number of texture responses. In Study 2, Japanese undergraduate students (n = 224) completed the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale for the Generalized Other and the Vividness of Tactile Imagery Scale. A path analysis revealed that attachment avoidance weakened the strength of emotional responses accompanying the generation of tactile imagery, and greater emotional responses enhanced the vividness of tactile imagery. These results suggest the possibility that attachment avoidance indirectly reduces texture responses on the Rorschach.

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.

Relationships Between Adult Attachment Dimensions and Patient-Physician Relationship Quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lachlan A. McWilliams
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Secure Attachment ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Communication Difficulties ◽  
Physician Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

AbstractPositive associations between attachment insecurity and indicators of poorer patient-physician relationship quality have been found in samples of patients consulting with physicians for a variety of specific medical conditions or needs. The current study was the first to investigate associations between adult attachment characteristics and relationship quality with family physicians. University students (N = 239) completed measures assessing attachment and their relationships with their family physician. Attachment avoidance was associated with poor affective relationship quality and with greater communication difficulties. Attachment anxiety was associated with greater communication difficulties, but was unrelated to affective relationship quality. Those with insecure attachment, particularly those with high levels of avoidance, have poorer relationships with their family physicians than those with more secure attachment.

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