Mechanisms Linking Anxious and Avoidant Attachment to Maladaptive Responses to Conflict: The Role of Negative Attributions and Feelings of Powerlessness

This study aimed to investigate the associations between adult attachment and conflict behaviour by examining attributions as a mediator, and relationship quality as a moderator. Relational power was also included as a potential mediator. Using a cross-sectional design, adults in coupled relationships completed an online survey measuring a range of variables pertaining to relationship conflict and relationship functioning. It was predicted that anxious and avoidant attachment would be associated with maladaptive responses to conflict (less problem-solving, more verbally attacking, and conflict avoidance) and that these associations would be mediated by negative attributions for partner behaviour. It was further predicted that high levels of relationship quality would buffer the associations between attachment insecurities and destructive conflict behaviours. The role of perceived relational power was addressed as an open research question. Anxious and avoidant attachment were associated with maladaptive responses to conflict. Further, associations between anxious attachment and problem-solving, and anxious attachment and verbal attack were mediated by negative attributions. Additionally, relational power mediated the relationship between anxious attachment and verbal attack. Relationship quality was not supported as a moderator; rather, the results highlighted the robust nature of the link between attachment dimensions and relationship functioning. Novel findings concerning relational power highlight the widespread effect of attachment insecurities, and suggest the importance of considering an array of factors in understanding attachment-related behaviours in close relationships. Future research would benefit from investigating dyadic studies and from employing laboratory or longitudinal designs to clarify causality