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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

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Published on: January 17, 2025

Secure base processes in couples: daily associations between support experiences and attachment security.

Joanne Davila¹, Deborah A Kashy

¹Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, USA. joanne.davila@stonybrook.edu

Journal of Family Psychology : JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)

|February 11, 2009

Summary

Attachment security in couples is linked to better social support. High anxiety about abandonment, however, correlates with less adaptive support and sensitive caregiving, impacting relationship dynamics.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Social Psychology
Relationship Science

Background:

Secure base functioning is crucial for relationship stability and well-being.
Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding interpersonal dynamics in adult relationships.
Daily social support experiences significantly influence relationship quality and individual security.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between daily social support experiences and attachment security in heterosexual dating couples.
To examine within- and cross-partner associations of support and security over time.
To identify how different dimensions of attachment security relate to adaptive and maladaptive support behaviors.

Main Methods:

A 14-day daily experiences study involving 114 heterosexual dating couples.
Participants reported on daily attachment security, support sought, provided, received, and felt support.
Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) analyses were used to examine reciprocal associations.

Main Results:

Attachment security, characterized by comfort with intimacy and low abandonment anxiety, predicted more adaptive support exchanges.
High anxiety about abandonment was linked to less adaptive support and a deficit in sensitive caregiving.
Reciprocal associations revealed that support experiences and security levels mutually influenced each other over time.

Conclusions:

Secure base dynamics in couples are significantly shaped by daily interactions and attachment styles.
Interventions targeting anxiety about abandonment and promoting sensitive caregiving can enhance relationship functioning.
Understanding these dynamics is key for developing effective relationship distress prevention programs.