scholarly journals RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ATTACHMENT DIMENSIONS AND AFFECT IN ADULTHOOD

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-188
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Hadžić ◽  
Dejan Kantar
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

This research was conducted during the state of emergency in response to coronavirus pandemic with the aim to further examine the relationships between attachment dimensions – attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance – and affect and to test the mediating role of psychological flexibility in these relationships. The sample which was obtained by using the snowball sampling method consists of 1515 adults from the Republic of Srpska, entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (70.4% females) aged between 18 and 65 who filled an online questionnaire battery. Attachment dimensions were measured by the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), affect by the Negative and Positive Affect Scale (NAPAS), and psychological flexibility by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II). The results indicate that attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance correlate positively with the negative affect and correlate negatively with the positive affect. Furthermore, the results showed that the relationships between attachment dimensions and negative affect can be explained through psychological flexibility – higher values of attachment dimensions contribute to lower psychological flexibility, which then leads to higher negative affect. The obtained findings have been considered in the light of theoretical and practical importance.

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.

scholarly journals Adult attachment and relationship satisfaction: The mediating role of gratitude toward the partner

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 3875-3886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manja Vollmann ◽  
Sem Sprang ◽  
Femke van den Brink
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Couples Therapy ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Previous research indicated that insecure attachment, that is, higher levels of attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety, is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. The present study investigated the mediating role of gratitude toward the partner in this association. In a cross-sectional design, 362 participants (84% female, age range 18–70 years) involved in a romantic relationship completed an online questionnaire assessing attachment avoidance and anxiety, gratitude toward the partner, and relationship satisfaction. Data were analyzed by means of regression and bootstrap analyses. The regression analysis revealed significant negative total and direct effects of both avoidance and anxiety on relationship satisfaction. The bootstrap analyses revealed a significant negative indirect effect of avoidance, but not anxiety, on relationship satisfaction via gratitude toward the partner. Specifically, higher levels of avoidant attachment were related to less gratitude toward the partner, which in turn was associated with lower relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that it might be valuable applying gratitude interventions to clients high in attachment avoidance attending couples therapy.

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.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Attachment and the Development of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence: The Role of Regulating Positive and Negative Affect

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martine W. F. T. Verhees ◽  
Chloë Finet ◽  
Sien Vandesande ◽  
Margot Bastin ◽  
Patricia Bijttebier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Longitudinal Support ◽  
Regulation Strategies

AbstractAlthough widely accepted, attachment theory’s hypothesis that insecure attachment is associated with the development of depressive symptoms through emotion regulation strategies has never been longitudinally tested in adolescence. Additionally, previous research only focused on strategies for regulating negative affect, whereas strategies for regulating positive affect may also serve as a mechanism linking insecure attachment to depressive symptoms. This study aimed to fill these research gaps by testing whether the association between attachment and change in depressive symptoms over time is explained by strategies for regulating negative and positive affect in adolescence. Adolescents (N = 1706; 53% girls; Mage = 12.78 years, SDage = 1.54 at Time 1) were tested three times, with a 1-year interval between measurement times. They reported on their attachment anxiety and avoidance at Time 1, depressive symptoms at Times 1 and 3, and regulation of negative affect (brooding and dampening) and positive affect (focusing and reflection) at Time 2. The results from multiple mediation analyses showed that more anxiously attached adolescents developed more depressive symptoms via increased brooding and dampening. More avoidantly attached adolescents developed more depressive symptoms via decreased focusing. These findings provide longitudinal support for attachment theory’s emotion regulation hypothesis, and show that the regulation of both negative and positive affect is important.

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.

scholarly journals Psychological impact of a country-wide lockdown. Role of personal, behavioral, social, and physical conditions on negative and positive affect and meaning in life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Suárez Rodríguez ◽  
Gladys Rolo-González ◽  
Gabriel Muinos ◽  
Cristina Chinea-Montesdeoca ◽  
Isabel Duarte-Lores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Coping Behaviors ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
The Individual

The spread of COVID-19 became the main public health risk for most countries in 2020. The Spanish government declared a state of emergency, implemented lockdown measures and imposed severe restrictions on mobility and compulsory home isolation. Given this sudden situation, we tested the levels of risk perception, the psychological impact of isolation conditions and of coping behaviors. A total of 1343 adult residents in Spain participated in the study. We measured with an online questionnaire (a) risk perception; (b) individual, social, and physical conditions of isolation; and (c) a set of coping behaviors. We tested how the conditions of isolation and the individual behavior affected positive and negative affect and meaning in life. We observed that risk perception was directly linked with the individual and social situation of the participants. Personal resilience, employment status, profile of cohabitants, and using open air spaces in the house are linked with the emotional situation of the participants. Additionally, we found that some behaviors were related with positive affect, meaning in life, and negative affect. The psychological impact of a nation-wide lockdown is not universal and there are key factors that moderate this impact. We have identified key personal, behavioral, social, and physical factors that may help policy makers and citizens in critical isolation situations

Exposure to an Infidelity Threat Manipulation

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-127
Author(s):  
Tamra Cater ◽  
Virgil Zeigler-Hill ◽  
Avi Besser
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions ◽  
High Threat

Abstract. The associations between adult attachment dimensions and responses to romantic relationship threats have been investigated in recent years. The present study extended the results of previous studies by examining whether attachment dimensions moderated the anticipated responses that individuals had to the imagined infidelity of their romantic partners. College student participants (N = 243) were randomly assigned to imagine either a high threat scenario (i.e., finding their partner having sex with someone else) or a low threat scenario (i.e., hearing a couple on television having sex) and report their anticipated responses to these scenarios. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that the attachment dimensions moderated the anticipated responses of participants to the imagined infidelity of their romantic partners but the exact patterns of these results were different than we expected. For example, individuals with low levels of attachment avoidance provided more positive evaluations of their romantic relationships than individuals with high levels of attachment avoidance in the low threat condition but this difference did not emerge in the high threat condition. These findings suggest that low levels of attachment avoidance may be most beneficial for romantic relationships when there is relatively little threat to the relationship. Further, men with high levels of attachment anxiety reported relatively positive evaluations of their relationships in the high threat condition compared to men with low levels of attachment anxiety or women (regardless of their level of attachment anxiety). Discussion focuses on the implications these results may have for understanding the connections between attachment and relationship evaluations under conditions of threat.

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