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Mind the Gap: Perceived Partner Responsiveness as a Bridge between General and Partner-Specific Attachment Security.
TeKisha M Rice1, Madoka Kumashiro2, Ximena B Arriaga3
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Champaign, IL 61801, USA.
Summary
Perceived partner responsiveness enhances relationship security, particularly for individuals with general insecurity. Feeling supported by your partner reduces attachment anxiety and avoidance in romantic bonds.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- Attachment theory posits that responsive attachment figures foster security.
- Individual security levels can vary across different relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if perceived partner responsiveness influences relationship-specific attachment security.
- To examine if this effect is stronger for generally insecure individuals.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 472 individuals (236 couples) in romantic relationships.
- Assessed perceived partner responsiveness and general/specific attachment anxiety and avoidance.
Main Results:
- Higher perceived partner responsiveness correlated with lower partner-specific attachment anxiety and avoidance.
- This association was particularly strong for individuals with higher general insecurity.
Conclusions:
- Perceived partner responsiveness is a key factor in fostering relationship-specific security.
- Interventions aimed at increasing perceived responsiveness may benefit insecure individuals in romantic relationships.
Keywords:
attachment anxietyattachment avoidanceattachment securityperceived partner responsivenessromantic relationshipsMore Related Videos
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