| dc.description.abstract | Individuals with insecure styles of attachment often have difficulties with emotion regulation and
conflict management and may utilize strategies to manage their emotions or navigate conflict
that are maladaptive and negatively impact the relationship. While many studies cite the
relationship between attachment, emotion dysregulation, conflict management, and romantic
relationship quality, few investigate the association of attachment on romantic relationship
quality with the inclusion of each of these variables altogether. This research aimed to bring
greater clarity to the association between early and current attachment and romantic relationship
quality for individuals in non-married relationships. In study 1, a structural equation model was
tested which hypothesized that insecure attachment would be directly associated with poorer
relationship quality, and indirectly associated through poorer emotion regulation and conflict
management skills. While results largely supported these hypotheses, an unexpected finding
emerged. In this model, emotion dysregulation was positively associated with relationship
quality. Study 2 aimed to understand the relationships between the variables over time through a
diary study design involving 2 reports daily for 7 days. Multi-level models indicated that
attachment was predictive of poorer end of day ratings of relationship satisfaction and intimacy.
In some models, interactions between attachment and conflict engagement and conflict
withdrawal, and between attachment and emotion dysregulation were significant, however,
similar unexpected findings from study 1 emerged (e.g., emotion dysregulation and poor conflict
management predicting higher rates of relationship quality). The findings of both studies
represent a valuable contribution to the vast literature on attachment, provide insight into
individual differences impacting the quality of romantic relationships, and have implications for
individuals or couples seeking therapy. | en_US |
