Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples.

Abstract

Three studies were conducted to examine the correlates of adult attachment. In Study 1, an 18-item scale to measure adult attachment style dimensions was developed based on Kazan and Shaver's (1987) categorical measure. Factor analyses revealed three dimensions underlying this measure: the extent to which an individual is comfortable with closeness, feels he or she can depend on others, and is anxious or fearful about such things as being abandoned or unloved. Study 2 explored the relation between these attachment dimensions and working models of self and others. Attachment dimensions were found to be related to self-esteem, expressiveness, instrumentality, trust in others, beliefs about human nature, and styles of loving. Study 3 explored the role of attachment style dimensions in three aspects of ongoing dating relationships: partner matching on attachment dimensions; similarity between the attachment of one's partner and caregiving style of one's parents; and relationship quality, including communication, trust, and satisfaction. Evidence was obtained for partner matching and for similarity between one's partner and one's parents, particularly for one's opposite-sex parent. Dimensions of attachment style were strongly related to how each partner perceived the relationship, although the dimension of attachment that best predicted quality differed for men and women. For women, the extent to which their partner was comfortable with closeness was the best predictor of relationship quality, whereas the best predictor for men was the extent to which their partner was anxious about being abandoned or unloved.It is generally believed that the nature and quality of one's close relationships in adulthood are strongly influenced by affective events that took place during childhood, particularly within the child-caretaker relationship. Yet, only recently have social psychologists begun to integrate work on adult love relationships with developmental theory and research on the nature and functioning of parent-child relations (Hartup & Rubin,

Poor family functioning mediates the link between childhood adversity and adolescent nonsuicidal self‐injury

“…Impaired family functioning later in adolescence is in turn robustly associated with NSSI (Gratz et al., 2002). Family functioning may influence adolescent NSSI through several risk factors for NSSI such as impulsivity, emotion regulation (Scott, Levy, & Pincus, 2009), self‐esteem (Collins & Read, 1990), interpersonal skills (Hazel et al., 2014), coping skills, and mental illness (Moretti & Peled, 2004). These pathways warrant further investigation.…”

The dynamics of attachment insecurity and paranoid thoughts: An experience sampling study

“…The statements assessed feelings about the self and others: "I have found it difficult to depend on others", "I have found myself wanting to maintain a distance from others", "I have found it difficult to trust others completely", "The thought that others might leave me was constantly on my mind", "I am not worthy of other's attention and affection", "I worry that others don't really want to be close to me" (Cronbach's α = 0.89). The statements were adapted from the Adult Attachment Style (AAS) questionnaire (Collins and Read, 1990). PCA identified 1 factor (eigenvalue > 1), explaining 64% of the variability.…”

Treating childhood obesity: Family background variables and the child's success in a weight‐control intervention

“…Attachment attitudes of the primary caregiver were assessed using the German version 33 of the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) by Collins and Read. 34 The AAS is a self-report instrument measuring attachment-related attitudes. The questionnaire consists of three subscales: ''Depend,'' ''Close,'' and ''Anxiety.''…”