scholarly journals Relationship Functioning During COVID-19 Quarantine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nickola Overall ◽  
Valerie Chang ◽  
Paula Pietromonaco ◽  
Rachel S. T. Low ◽  
Annette M E Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Family Cohesion ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Relationship Problems ◽  
Ongoing Relationship ◽  
Related Stress

The COVID-19 pandemic presents acute, ongoing relationship challenges. The current research tested how (1) pre-existing vulnerabilities assessed prior to the pandemic (attachment insecurity) and (2) stress as couples endured a mandated quarantine predicted residual changes in relationship functioning. Controlling for pre-quarantine problems, relationship quality and family environment, greater partners’ attachment anxiety predicted greater relationship problems, lower relationship quality, and a less stable and cohesive family environment when people were experiencing more stress. Greater partners’ attachment avoidance predicted lower problem solving efficacy and family cohesion. The effects of partners’ pre-existing vulnerabilities and pandemic-related stress demonstrate the utility of key models in relationship science in identifying who is at most risk of relationship problems in the unprecedented context of a mandated quarantine. The results emphasize that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on relationship functioning will be shaped by the characteristics of partners with whom people are confined with during the pandemic.

Partners’ Attachment Insecurity and Stress Predict Poorer Relationship Functioning During COVID-19 Quarantines

2021 ◽  
pp. 194855062199297
Author(s):  
Nickola C. Overall ◽  
Valerie T. Chang ◽  
Paula R. Pietromonaco ◽  
Rachel S. T. Low ◽  
Annette M. E. Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Family Cohesion ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Attachment Insecurity ◽  
Relationship Problems ◽  
Ongoing Relationship ◽  
Related Stress

The COVID-19 pandemic presents acute, ongoing relationship challenges. The current research tested how (1) preexisting vulnerabilities assessed prior to the pandemic (attachment insecurity) and (2) stress as couples endured a mandated quarantine predicted residual changes in relationship functioning. Controlling for prequarantine problems, relationship quality, and family environment, greater partners’ attachment anxiety predicted greater relationship problems, lower relationship quality, and a less stable and cohesive family environment when people were experiencing more stress. Greater partners’ attachment avoidance predicted lower problem-solving efficacy and family cohesion. The effects of partners’ preexisting vulnerabilities and pandemic-related stress demonstrate the utility of key models in relationship science in identifying who is at most risk of relationship problems in the unprecedented context of a mandated quarantine. The results emphasize that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on relationship functioning will be shaped by the characteristics of partners with whom people are confined with during the pandemic.

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.

Distinguishing Dismissing From Fearful Attachment in the Association Between Closeness and Commitment

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoobin Park ◽  
Anik Debrot ◽  
Stephanie S. Spielmann ◽  
Samantha Joel ◽  
Emily Impett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Association ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
The Self ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Internal Conflicts ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

When avoidantly attached individuals are simultaneously high in attachment anxiety, they are inclined to experience strong internal conflicts between seeking and avoiding closeness. This research examined whether the extent to which closeness, assessed as the inclusion of other in the self (IOS), is associated with greater commitment varies within individuals high in attachment avoidance as a result of differences in ambivalence toward maintaining the relationship. In two studies ( N1 = 1,604, N2 = 2,271), we found that the positive association between IOS and commitment was significantly weaker when attachment avoidance was combined with high (vs. low) attachment anxiety. In Study 2, we found lingering relational ambivalence even at high levels of IOS among individuals simultaneously high in attachment avoidance and anxiety, which in turn was related to relatively low commitment. Our findings highlight the role of relational ambivalence in avoidants’ relationship functioning and the need to examine the interplay of the two attachment dimensions.

Associations of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance With Male- and Female-Perpetrated Sexual Coercion in Romantic Relationships

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1176-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Barbaro ◽  
Andrew M. Holub ◽  
Todd K. Shackelford
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Romantic Partner ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Ongoing Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

Few studies have investigated the associations between romantic attachment dimensions and sexual coercion perpetration. The present study aimed to address methodological limitations in previous studies, and to more accurately identify the associations between romantic attachment and sexual coercion perpetration in romantic relationships. Data from 284 individuals (56% men) were secured via an online self-report survey. Participants completed assessments of romantic attachment to their current romantic partner, and reported the frequency with which they perpetrated 34 acts of sexual coercion against their romantic partner. Attachment anxiety was a positive predictor of sexual coercion perpetration for men and women. Additionally, for men only, the association between attachment anxiety and sexual coercion perpetration was stronger for individuals with greater attachment avoidance. The results of the study present a clearer picture of the associations between attachment and sexual coercion, and accord with modern theoretical perspectives positing that romantic attachment regulates reactions to acute and ongoing relationship threats.

scholarly journals Approach and avoidance motives for touch are predicted by attachment and predict daily relationship well-being

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 256-278
Author(s):  
Brittany K. Jakubiak ◽  
Anik Debrot ◽  
James Kim ◽  
Emily A. Impett
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
The Other ◽  
General Study ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Future Work

Research suggests that touch promotes relationship well-being but has failed to consider motives for touch. We assessed general (Study 1) and daily (Study 2) approach and avoidance motives for touch and tested their precursors and consequences. Controlling for relationship quality and the other motive, greater attachment avoidance predicted lower approach and greater avoidance motives for touch in general but did not predict motives in daily life. Greater attachment anxiety simultaneously predicted greater approach and avoidance motives for touch in both studies suggesting anxiously attached people have ambivalent motives for touch. Critically, one’s own and one’s partner’s approach motives for touch predicted greater daily relationship well-being, whereas own and partner avoidance motives predicted poorer daily relationship well-being. We observed indirect effects linking attachment insecurity to relationship well-being through daily motives for touch. These results underscore the importance of attending to touch motives in future work, including future intervention work.

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.

Romantic attachment, unforgiveness and relationship satisfaction in couples: A dyadic mediation analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 2822-2842
Author(s):  
Mónica Guzmán-González ◽  
Paula Contreras ◽  
Giulia Casu
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Avoidance Motivation ◽  
Couple Counseling ◽  
Relationship Of

Adult romantic attachment is strongly associated with couple relationship functioning, and many efforts have been made to identify the mechanisms underlying this link. Nevertheless, no previous study considered unforgiveness when investigating the relationship of romantic attachment with relationship satisfaction in couples. We used the actor–partner interdependence mediation model to explore the associations between romantic attachment and relationship satisfaction as mediated by unforgiveness (i.e., avoidance and revenge motivations) in a convenience sample of 104 Chilean couples. The couples completed self-report measures of romantic attachment, unforgiveness, and relationship satisfaction. Actor insecure attachment was associated with lower relationship satisfaction directly and indirectly. Indirectly, higher actor levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance were linked, respectively, to greater revenge and avoidance motivations, and thus to lower relationship satisfaction. Partner attachment avoidance was associated with lower relationship satisfaction only directly. Higher partner levels of attachment anxiety were associated with lower avoidance motivation, and thus with higher relationship satisfaction. These dyadic findings further attest to the detrimental role of attachment avoidance and unforgiveness against the couple’s functioning. The novel finding that attachment anxiety may indirectly promote a couple’s relationship satisfaction deserves further investigation. The implications for couple counseling and therapy are discussed.

scholarly journals Attachment Styles and Relationship Quality among Young Couples

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatahyah Yahya ◽  
Jocelyn Ng Xiao Huix ◽  
Nor Mazlina Ghazali ◽  
Azzahrah Anuar ◽  
Aina Razlin Mohammad Roose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Satisfaction Index ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
The Relationship

This research was aimed to study the relationship between attachment style and relationship quality among young couples. A correlational research design was adopted to answer the objectives of this study. A total of 257 students of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Sarawak participated in this study. Two types of questionnaire were used in this study; the Experience in Close Relationship (ECR) to measure the attachment styles, and Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI) to measure the relationship satisfaction of the couples. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between attachment style and relationship quality among the young couples in UNIMAS. Attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety had a significant effect on the relationship quality of the young couples. It is suggested for future studies to consider selecting the samples by using simple random sampling as the targeted population would be able to represent the whole population and the result would be more accurate. Keywords: Attachment avoidance; attachment anxiety

scholarly journals The Attachment Dynamic: Dyadic Patterns of Anxiety and Avoidance in Relationship Functioning

2020 ◽  
pp. 026540752097585
Author(s):  
Lindsey M. Rodriguez ◽  
Anthony Coy ◽  
Benjamin W. Hadden
Keyword(s):  
Close Relationships ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

Whereas attachment dimensions (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) are generally associated with lower levels of relationship evaluations (e.g., satisfaction, commitment), research has not yet fully incorporated how partner attachment is related to these evaluations, nor how dyadic patterns (actor × partner attachment interactions) are associated with evaluations. Across two dyadic studies ( N = 185, 123 dyads), we examine how actor, partner, and actor × partner interactions of attachment anxiety and avoidance are associated with reports of trust, satisfaction, and commitment. Results generally revealed that actor effects of attachment anxiety on lower relationship evaluations were weaker when partners were more anxious and stronger when partners were more avoidant. Moreover, actor effects of attachment avoidance on lower trust and satisfaction were stronger when partners were more anxious. Finally, own avoidance was more strongly negatively related to commitment in the presence of a more avoidant partner. These results suggest that the combination of attachment within relationships is important to consider for both close relationships researchers and clinicians.

The Relationship Between Texture Responses on the Rorschach and Adult Attachment

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Iwasa ◽  
Toshiki Ogawa
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Japanese Population ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Comprehensive System ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Sensitive Measure ◽  
The Relationship

We examined the relationship between texture responses (T) on the Rorschach and adult attachment in the Japanese population. 47 Japanese undergraduate and graduate students (mean age = 20.16, SD = 1.87) completed a self-report adult attachment scale as well as the Rorschach. An ANOVA revealed that T = 1 participants were attached more securely than were other groups. T > 1 participants were more preoccupied with attachment and scored higher on an attachment anxiety scale than the T = 1 group. Although these results were consistent with the interpretation of the texture response according to the Comprehensive System (CS), the results obtained for T = 0 participants were inconsistent with hypotheses derived from the CS. T = 0 participants were high on preoccupied and attachment anxiety scores, although they were theoretically expected to be high on dismissing or attachment avoidance. These results indicated that – at least in Japan – T should be regarded as a sensitive measure of attachment anxiety.

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