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Attachment style and psychological adjustment in couples
Ana Conde1, Barbara Figueiredo, Antonia Bifulco
1School of Psychology, University of Minho, Portugal.
Attachment & Human Development
|April 21, 2011
Summary
Expecting parents with insecure attachment styles face higher risks of anxiety and depression. Poor marital support exacerbates these issues, particularly in men, and influences gender-specific postpartum adjustments.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Maternal Mental Health
Background:
- Insecure attachment styles and poor marital support are linked to mental health risks.
- Limited research exists on the interplay of these factors in expectant couples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of insecure attachment and marital support on anxiety and depression in expectant couples.
- To explore gender differences in psychological adjustment during pregnancy and postpartum.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 126 expectant couples during the second trimester and three months postpartum.
- Utilized the Attachment Style Interview (ASI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
Main Results:
- Insecure attachment correlated with increased anxiety and depression in both partners.
- Women showed increased postnatal depression; men's anxiety was linked to poor partner support.
- Combined effects of attachment style and support revealed gender-specific changes in anxiety symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Attachment style and partner support are crucial for understanding psychological adjustment in expectant couples.
- Assessing both partners' attachment styles and support is vital for identifying and addressing gendered mental health risks.
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