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Updated: Dec 6, 2025

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Support Processes Predict Declines in Attachment Avoidance Across the Transition to Parenthood.

W Steven Rholes1, Jami Eller2, Jeffry A Simpson2

  • 1Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.

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PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Adult attachment avoidance can decrease when individuals encounter relationship events that challenge their existing working models, particularly during the transition to parenthood. Providing support to partners was linked to reduced avoidance.

Keywords:
attachment theoryavoidancesupporttransition to parenthood

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology

Background:

  • Adult attachment orientations can evolve, but the triggers for these changes remain unclear.
  • Attachment theory suggests incongruent information can prompt shifts in working models and orientation.
  • Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending adult psychological development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the factors influencing changes in adult attachment avoidance.
  • To examine how relationship events during the transition to parenthood affect attachment avoidance.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 137 couples over the first two years of their first child's life.
  • Data collected at five distinct time points from both partners.
  • Focused analysis on changes in attachment avoidance.

Main Results:

  • Downward shifts in attachment avoidance were linked to relationship events introducing incongruent information.
  • Increased partner support was associated with a decline in avoidance.
  • Findings support the role of incongruent experiences in modifying attachment working models.

Conclusions:

  • Major life transitions, like parenthood, can facilitate changes in attachment avoidance.
  • Relationship experiences that challenge avoidant working models are key drivers of change.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of attachment change.