A meditational model of Attachment, Coping strategies, and Perceptions of on-going relationship problems

The current study considered a novel model of attachment that aimed to explain the association between attachment insecurities and perceptions of ongoing relationship problems. While there has been a longstanding interest in these trajectories, little research has pursued in examination of the mechanisms that underlie these associations. The current study addressed gaps in prior research by proposing a mediational model of attachment, coping, and perceptions of ongoing relationship problems. Specifically, it postulated that the link between attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance with perceptions of ongoing relationship problems would be mediated by hyperactivating and deactivating coping, respectfully. An interaction between attachment dimensions was also hypothesised to predict exacerbated perceptions of ongoing relationship problems. Furthermore, the study considered an additional research imperative which was to assess the factor structure of a recently revised model of coping. A community sample of 374 participants responded to the online survey. Quota s ampling procedures were set to ensure adequate spread of gender and relationship duration. The survey included demographic items, followed by a relationship vignette depicting a hypothetical conflict, a manipulation check, and measures of attachment dimensions, coping strategies, and perceptions of ongoing relationship problems. Regression and bootstrapping analyses were performed to explore the direct and indirect associations between the three key variables. Results supported the role of hyperactivation coping as a partial mediator between attachment anxiety and perceptions of ongoing relationship problems. However contrary to expectations support for the mediating role of deactivation between attachment avoidance and perceptions of ongoing relationship problems was not found, however theoretically and practically significant associations were revealed. Practical and theoretical implications as well as the strengths and limitations of the study were discussed