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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
A multi-modal approach to the study of attachment-related distress
Marieke Dewitte1, Jan De Houwer, Liesbet Goubert
1Ghent University, Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Gent, Belgium. Marieke.Dewitte@ugent.be
Abstract:
The present study aimed at providing a comprehensive analysis of individual differences in the regulation of attachment distress as measured through different components of the emotional response, including neuroendocrine reactions, subjectively experienced affect, and proximity seeking behaviour. Emotional responses were measured before, during, and after the induction of attachment distress in a sample of couples. Analyses using multi-level modelling revealed that, in both men and women, attachment anxiety was related to physiological (i.e., cortisol) and subjective emotional distress responses, whereas attachment avoidance most consistently predicted subjective and behavioural responses to distress. In addition to one's own attachment style, partner's attachment style was also found to modulate emotional and behavioural responses to relational stress, in both couple members. Attachment style was also found to moderate the interrelations between emotional indices, revealing interesting information on the regulatory strategies underlying attachment anxiety and avoidance.
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