Attachment Style, Family and Romantic Relationships

2001 ◽  
Vol 88 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1251-1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip G. Erwin ◽  
Karen Salter ◽  
David G. Purves
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Romantic Love

In 1987 Hazan and Shaver showed that patterns of romantic love reflected attachment styles. In an extension of that study with 39 men and 33 women in college (ages 18–36 years), this research shows that family relationships may also affect romantic relationships indirectly through their association with attachment styles.

Romantic relationships in adults with ADHD: The effect of partner attachment style on relationship quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-64
Author(s):  
Katherine Knies ◽  
Elizabeth A. Bodalski ◽  
Kate Flory
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Romantic Relationship Quality

Prior literature indicates that insecure attachment styles (i.e., anxious or avoidant) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) both have negative impacts on romantic relationships, but relatively little is known about how these factors interact among couples where one partner has ADHD and the other does not. One hundred and fifty-nine partners of adults with significant ADHD symptoms completed measures of their own attachment styles, their partner’s ADHD symptoms, and relationship quality. Anxious attachment was associated with lower romantic relationship quality, but avoidant attachment was associated with more positive relationship outcomes. Results also indicated that the negative effect of ADHD symptoms on romantic relationship quality may be exacerbated by a partner’s high level of anxious attachment. Though insecure attachment styles are generally thought to have a negative impact on romantic relationships, avoidant attachment was generally associated with more positive outcomes in this study. Several possible explanations based on theoretical support are included in the discussion along with clinical applications and future directions.

Attachment Styles and the Ideal Image of a Mate

2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rami Tolmacz ◽  
Gil Goldzweig ◽  
Ruth Guttman
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Relational Patterns ◽  
Ideal Image ◽  
Personality Patterns ◽  
The Ideal

The study examines, within the framework of attachment theory, relationships of ideal images of young males with respect to their ideal image of a mate. A review of previous studies dealing with partner selection reveals the lack of a theoretical model that combines developmental processes and specific personality patterns with the process of creating an ideal image of the partner. The present study uses Facet Theory and Facet Design to construct a unified conceptual framework for the research in which attachment style and ideal image of the spouse are viewed as two modes of relating to one another. Intercorrelations among replies to the attachment and ideal image questionnaires were subjected to Smallest Space Analysis (SSA). The results indicate a relation between attachment style, the subjects' ideal image of a mate and the ideal images of oneself and one's mother. As predicted, persons with a secure style tended to have high levels of flexibility in their descriptions of the ideal image of the spouse. Males with insecure attachment styles exhibited different relational patterns of ideal image of themselves and their mothers. The SSA results suggest a hierarchic relation between attachment styles and the ideal image of a mate. These findings are consistent with the understanding that attachment styles affect the character and quality of the individual's romantic relationships.

Attachment styles, conflict styles and humour styles: interrelationships and associations with relationship satisfaction

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnie Cann ◽  
M. Ashley Norman ◽  
Jennifer L. Welbourne ◽  
Lawrence G. Calhoun
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
The Self ◽  
Conflict Styles ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Relationships among attachment styles, conflict styles and humour styles were examined in the context of romantic relationships. Each style was assumed to be based upon underlying assumptions about self and others, so relationships among the measures were predicted. A model assuming that the relationship of attachment styles to relationship satisfaction was partially mediated by the conflict styles and humour styles was tested. Overall, the predicted relationships among the three measures were supported. Conflict styles and humour styles reflecting attitudes about others were related to the avoidance attachment style, while those reflecting attitudes about the self were related to the anxiety attachment dimension. Conflict styles and humour styles were mediators of the association of attachment style with relationship satisfaction. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Attachment in adult patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1310-1310
Author(s):  
M. Abdel-Hamid ◽  
V. Heinrich ◽  
S. Sperber ◽  
J. Wiltfang ◽  
B. Kis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Romantic Love ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Matched Sample ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

IntroductionAdult patients with ADHD suffer from marriage problems and increased divorce rates significantly more often. There are, however, only a few studies which analyse romantic attachment to a partner or romantic relationships among patients with ADHD in view of attachment theory.AimsThe aim of the present study is to research if ADHD patients show a diminished quality of romantic relationships in comparison to a matched sample of healthy controls. Furthermore, correlations between ADHD specific characteristics and particular variables of partnership perception and psychosomatic discomfort were analysed within the ADHD subgroup.MethodsWe recruited 39 patients with ADHD and compared them with a matched sample of healthy controls. Self-estimation measures were used to examine the quality of attachment, dimensions of attachment, love styles, psychosomatic discomfort and ADHD specific symptoms.ResultsIn comparison to the control sample, adult ADHD patients show a significantly reduced quality of relationships. ADHD patients rank themselves as more scared of attachment and showing more avoidance of interpersonal relationships in general as well as romantic relationships. They also feel less romantic love. ADHD specific characteristics correlate moderately with the attachment dimensions “Fear” and “Avoidance”, the love style “Mania” and psychosomatic discomfort.ConclusionsThis study lends further support to the assumption that adult patients with ADHD show an impaired quality of attachment, increased fear and avoidance of relationships as well as less romantic love. The results strongly underline the necessity to account for individual attachment styles in psychotherapy of ADHD.

scholarly journals Attached at the lips: The influence of romantic kissing motives and romantic attachment styles on relationship satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-30
Author(s):  
Danica J. Kulibert ◽  
Elle A. Moore ◽  
Melinda M. Dertinger ◽  
Ashley E. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Although romantic kissing is an important part of relationship functioning, little research has focused on motives for romantic kissing and how they may relate to other aspects of romantic relationships. To understand how romantic kissing impacts romantic relationship functioning, the current study assessed the relationship between romantic attachment, romantic kissing motives, and relationship satisfaction. Overall, it was hypothesized that (a) those reporting more sexual/explicit kissing motives and fewer goal attainment/insecurity motives would report higher relationship satisfaction, (b) those reporting a more secure attachment style would report higher relationship satisfaction, and (c) the relationship between romantic kissing motives and relationship satisfaction would vary according to one’s romantic attachment styles. Results from a hierarchical linear regression with 286 adults, all of whom were currently in romantic relationships, revealed that sexual/relational (β = 0.25) and goal attainment/insecurity kissing motives (β = -0.35) predicted relationship satisfaction. However, the impact of kissing motives on relationship satisfaction varied according to one’s romantic attachment. Specifically, the influence of sexual/relational motives was only significant for avoidantly attached individuals, whereas the influence of goal attainment/insecurity motives was significant for avoidantly and anxiously attachment individuals. Overall, this suggests that sexual/explicit romantic kissing motives serve to enhance the relationships of insecurely attached individuals, but not securely attached individuals. Furthermore, goal attainment/insecure motives had a negative effect on the relationship satisfaction of insecurely attached individuals, but not securely attached individuals. This study has important implications for both practitioners working with romantic couples and researchers studying romantic relationships.

Attached and Apart: Attachment Styles and Self-Disclosure in Long-Distance Romantic Relationships

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R. Hammonds ◽  
Elizabeth Ribarsky ◽  
Guilherme Soares
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Geographical Separation ◽  
Primary Means

Abstract The primary goal of this study was to examine attachment style effects on self-disclosure, trust, satisfaction, and uncertainty levels of individuals in long-distance romantic relationships (LDRRs) who utilise technologically mediated communication channels as a primary means of daily interaction with their romantic partners. Participants (N = 211) from 27 countries who maintained committed romantic relationships (M = 3 years) with geographical separation (M = 1042 miles, Mdn = 160 miles) were surveyed. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), 7 of the 8 hypotheses were supported, showing that attachment style and self-disclosure predict relational uncertainty, trust, and relational satisfaction. In examining the distinctions between attachment styles (i.e., secure, preoccupied, fearful-avoidant, and dismissive) three models were developed and confirmed with good fit. The implications of the study suggest how both attachment style and self-disclosure influence the overall success of LDRRs.

scholarly journals Adult attachment styles and mothers’ life satisfaction in relation to eating behaviors in the families with overweight and obese children

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243448
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Pasztak-Opiłka ◽  
Romana de Jonge ◽  
Agnieszka Zachurzok ◽  
Małgorzata E. Górnik-Durose
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Normal Body Weight ◽  
And Control

Family plays a significant role in shaping children's eating behaviors. The aim of the study was to assess whether mothers’ attachment style, their life satisfaction and their own body weight can be associated with family eating behaviors. The results from 52 dyads (mothers/children) covered by the Metabolic Disease Clinic were analyzed. A targeted sample selection was used, taking into account the weight (overweight/obesity) and age (≥11 years) criteria of the child. The results have shown that the mother's body weight is a significant determinant of her child's body weight. The anxiety-ambivalent attachment style in mothers is a significant predictor of behaviors aimed at regulating and controlling affective states by food. A decrease in the knowledge of nutrition is associated with an increase in the level of anxiety-ambivalent and avoidant style. The avoidant attachment style is significantly associated with the nutrition organisation and control. Dysfunctional eating behaviors predominate among mothers with a lower level of life satisfaction. The lower the level of life satisfaction, the greater the tendency to regulate affective states and family relationships through nutrition, and to manifest improper organisation of nutrition. Mothers with obesity, compared to mothers with overweight and with normal body weight show a higher level of regulating emotions through food, improper organisation of nutrition and lower control in this area. The research results indicateshow significant relationships between insecure attachment styles, life satisfaction, and the mother's weight with eating behaviors unfavorable to health. It is therefore necessary to include family factors in the process of creating effective intervention strategies.

Interparental conflict and relational attitudes within romantic relationships: The mediating role of attachment orientations

2022 ◽  
pp. 026540752110616
Author(s):  
Rami Tolmacz ◽  
Rachel Bachner-Melman ◽  
Lilac Lev-Ari ◽  
Karen Almagor
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Interparental Conflict ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Couple Relationships ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Attachment Orientations ◽  
Avoidant Attachment

Early experiences and childhood perceptions of interparental conflict (IPC) have consistently been shown to have detrimental consequences for future psychological adjustment, in particular for attachment and couple relationships during adolescence and adulthood. We hypothesized that 1. IPC would predict anxious and avoidant attachment styles, and three relational attitudes associated with couple relationships: sense of relational entitlement, pathological concern, and authenticity; and 2. Attachment style would mediate the associations between IPC and these three relational attitudes. Measures of perceived IPC, attachment orientations, relational entitlement, pathological concern, and authenticity in romantic relationships were completed online by 280 young adults aged 19–32. IPC was positively correlated with anxious and avoidant attachment styles, restricted and inflated sense of entitlement, and pathological concern and negatively with authenticity. A structural equations model showed that IPC predicted avoidant and anxious attachment styles, which positively predicted an inflated and restricted sense of relational entitlement and pathological concern and negatively predicted authenticity. Attachment styles fully mediated the relationships between IPC and the relational attitudes. IPC therefore seems to be related to imbalanced attitudes in romantic relationships, due in part to a propensity toward insecure attachment orientations. Children with insecure attachment who are exposed to significant levels of IPC may be at high risk for relationship problems later in life because of difficulties exposing their vulnerability, assessing need fulfillment realistically, and caring for themselves as well as others. They should therefore be helped to communicate their relational needs to significant others, in particular to their partners.

Collectivism and commitment in Chinese people: Romantic attachment in vertical collectivism

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1365-1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Wang ◽  
Aitao Lu
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mainland Chinese ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
Dating Relationship

We investigated the relationships between vertical and horizontal collectivism and commitment to a dating relationship, and the mediating effect of romantic attachment styles (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) on these proposed direct associations. Participants were 191 mainland Chinese university students, of whom 94 were men and 97 were women. They completed anonymous questionnaires regarding their degree of vertical and horizontal collectivism, commitment to a dating relationship, and romantic attachment style. Results showed that vertical collectivism, romantic attachment, and commitment to a dating relationship were significantly associated, but no similar correlations were found for horizontal collectivism. As predicted, romantic attachment mediated the effect of vertical collectivism on commitment to a dating relationship. Implications of the present findings for future research are discussed, as well as potential interventions for improving the quality of romantic relationships.

scholarly journals Exploring How UK Adults' Attachment Style in Romantic Relationships Affects Engagement in Controlling Behaviours

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly C. Gilbert ◽  
Robert Blakey
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Anxious Attachment

Copious studies have identified a link between disorganised attachment and engagement in controlling caregiving or controlling punitive behaviours. Studies have suggested that consistently engaging in these behaviours can cause difficulties within relationships and contribute to the development of a personality disorder. Most of the literature thus far has focused on engagement in controlling behaviours by children with a disorganised attachment style, despite there being theoretical grounds to suggest they may also be used by adults and across all types of insecure attachment. This study aimed to address these gaps by looking at adult attachment style and engagement in controlling behaviours in romantic relationships, across all insecure attachment styles; avoidant, anxious and disorganised. The current study recruited a non-clinical sample; specifically, 149 English-speaking adults, living in the UK, between the ages of 18 and 77 years old (M = 34.28, SD = 14.90). The participants answered an anonymous online questionnaire containing four self-report measures which assessed the participants' attachment security and organisation, caregiving style and engagement in punitive behaviours. The results indicated that participants who scored higher in disorganised attachment were more likely to use controlling punitive behaviours in their romantic relationships. Moreover, participants who reported a more insecure-anxious attachment style were more likely to use compulsive caregiving behaviours in their romantic relationships. In contrast, participants who reported a higher insecure avoidant attachment style were less likely to use compulsive caregiving behaviours in their romantic relationships. These results have implications for adult attachment theory and aid the understanding of some of the behaviours that can be harmful within romantic relationships. The findings could be used to help at-risk individuals develop healthy interpersonal relationship going forward.

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