“Now Why Would You Say That?” Attributions and Power as Mediators Between Attachment and Conflict Behaviours

Research has established that individual differences in attachment style are relatively stable in adulthood, and are evident in adults’ couple relationships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Given that conflict is inevitable in couple bonds, it is important to investigate how attachment styles influence conflict behaviours, and whether these associations are mediated by factors such as attributional style and perceived relational power. A total of 343 participants were recruited to complete an online survey containing measures of attachment (avoidance and anxiety), relationship length and perceived relational power. They then read a short vignette detailing a hypothetical conflict scenario, and rated how they would react to the situation if it arose in their present relationship, using items of the Conflict Resolution Styles Questionnaire. It was predicted that insecure attachment dimensions would be associated with more maladaptive conflict behaviours, and that these associations would be mediated by negative attributional styles. Further, two research questions were posed regarding the mediating role of perceived relational power, and the moderating role of relationship length. The hypotheses were largely supported; however, attachment avoidance did not predict negative attributions, nor was it correlated with problem-solving behaviour. The mediation model from attachment anxiety through attributions to attacking behaviour was supported; perceived power also acted as a mediator between attachment anxiety and attacking behaviour. Finally, relationship quality moderated the association between attachment anxiety and verbal attack such that this association was stronger in longer relationships. The mediation model of attachment, attributions, and conflict behaviours is consistent with previous research (e.g., Pearce and Halford (2008)). Findings regarding the mediating role of power highlight the importance of further research investigating the influence of attachment and perceived power in close relationships