Physical separation in adult attachment relationships

Attachment theory suggests that at all stages of life, regular contact with attachment figures fosters a fundamental sense of safety and security. Yet an increasing number of romantic couples undergo prolonged physical separations from one another, rangingfrom several weeks to several years, and involving widely varying opportunities for communication and contact. This article reviews contemporary research on the implications of such separations for attachment-related dynamics, including relationship satisfaction and psychobiological attunement between partners. Recent technological innovations in computer-mediated contact (such as video calls and electronic messaging) and their capacity to `stand in' for direct physical contact are also discussed, along with directions for future research in the diverse psychobiological mechanisms underlying attachment formation and functioning at different stages of life and in different contexts.