Authors: Noah James, Rebekah Hakala, Todd Spencer
Mentors: Todd Spencer
Insitution: Utah Valley University
The Relationship Among Attachment Styles, Couple Satisfaction, and Perceived Stress
Noah James, Rebekah Hakala, Todd Spencer
Introduction
Attachment styles play a pivotal role in romantic relationships. According to existing research, individuals with fearful, dismissive, or preoccupied attachment styles tend to experience elevated stress levels (Candel & Turliuc, 2021; Waring et al., 2019). Conversely, those with secure or preoccupied attachment styles report greater relationship satisfaction (Candel & Turliuc, 2021). By exploring the relationship between attachment styles, stress, and relationship satisfaction we hope to foster healthier relationships and deepen our understanding of the interaction between attachment orientations and emotional well-being (Candel & Turliuc, 2021; Waring et al., 2019).
Analysis
The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship among attachment styles and couple satisfaction and stress. Our sample consists of 411 married individuals. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale - short form (PSS-4; Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983), The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991), and Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI-4; Funk & Rogge, 2000). Results of the one way Anova were significant F (3,407) = 10.48, p=<.001. There was a significant difference in levels of relationship satisfaction among attachment styles. Secure attachment (M=15.66, SD = 2.44), fearful attachment (M=14.09, SD = 3.30), preoccupied (M=15.75, SD = 2.35), and dismissing (M=14.05, SD = 3.54). Results of the Bonferroni Post-hoc analysis indicated a significantly higher levels of couple satisfaction than fearful and dismissing attachment styles (p.<.001). There was no significant difference in level of relationship satisfaction between Secure and preoccupied attachment styles. Additionally, there was a significant difference in levels of perceived stress among attachment styles. Secure attachment (M=11.79, SD = 2.47), fearful attachment (M=13.91, SD = 2.55), preoccupied (M=13.20, SD = 3.35), and dismissing (M=11.81, SD = 3.54). Results of the Bonferroni Post-hoc analysis indicated a significantly lower levels of stress among securely attached compared to fearful and pre-occupied attachment styles (p.<.001). There was no significant difference in level of stress between Secure and dismissing attachment styles. Results provide empirical support that secure attachment styles tend to be beficial for both relationship satisfaction and perceptions of stress. Further, dismissive attachment styles reported similar levels of stress as securely attached participants but had the lowest level of relationship satisfaction.