Attachment-Related Responses to Couple Conflict: Associations among Attachment, Attributions, Stress Appraisal and Coping Strategies

Conflict is inevitable in close romantic relationships. Responses to conflict vary and are influenced by many factors, including attachment orientations. The present study examined the influence of attachment on responses to couple conflict, focusing specifically on the relationships among attachment, stress appraisal, attributions and coping strategies (constructive coping, hyperactivation, deactivation). A total of 326 adults currently involved in romantic relationships were recruited from the community by the researchers. Participants completed an online survey that included measures of attachment dimensions (attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance) and attachment style (secure, preoccupied, dismissing, fearful). They then read a vignette depicting a relationship conflict scenario, and answered questions about their responses to the conflict. It was hypothesised that both attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance would be positively associated with stress appraisal and maladaptive attributions. Further, it was predicted that attachment avoidance would be positively associated with deactivation and negatively associated with constructive coping, while attachment anxiety would be positively associated with hyperactivation. The mediating role of stress appraisal and attributions in the associations between insecurity and maladaptive coping strategies was also explored. As expected, attachment anxiety was associated with negative cognitive and behavioural reactions to conflict, and stress appraisals and attributions partially mediated the link between attachment anxiety and hyperactivation. However, attachment avoidance was associated only with coping strategies. These insights into the mechanisms linking attachment and reactions to relationship conflict are relevant to professionals who work with couples facing difficulties in their relationships