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Adult Attachment, Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Quality among Spanish Young-adult Couples

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2021

Eva González-Ortega Open the ORCID record for Eva González-Ortega [Opens in a new window] ,
Begoña Orgaz Open the ORCID record for Begoña Orgaz [Opens in a new window] ,
Isabel Vicario-Molina Open the ORCID record for Isabel Vicario-Molina [Opens in a new window]  and
Antonio Fuertes Open the ORCID record for Antonio Fuertes [Opens in a new window]
Eva González-Ortega
Affiliation:
Universidad de Salamanca (Spain)
Begoña Orgaz
Affiliation:
Universidad de Salamanca (Spain)
Isabel Vicario-Molina*
Affiliation:
Universidad de Salamanca (Spain)
Antonio Fuertes
Affiliation:
Universidad de Salamanca (Spain)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Isabel Vicario-Molina. Universidad de Salamanca. Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación. 37008Salamanca (Spain). E-mail: ivicario@usal.es
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Abstract

The evidence of the interrelationships between adult attachment, conflict resolution style and relationship quality in couple relationships shows some inconsistencies and it is mostly based on English-speaking adult samples, as well as on individuals’ rather than on both couple members’ reports. Therefore, the aim was to examine the associations between adult attachment, conflict resolution style and relationship quality from a dyadic approach. A sample of 405 heterosexual young couples completed online the brief version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire, the respondent version of the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory, and a 4-item measure of relationship quality. Avoidance attachment showed a stronger negative correlation than anxiety with relationship quality. Withdrawal and conflict engagement styles were more highly correlated with avoidance and anxiety, respectively. At a dyadic level, relationship quality was negatively predicted by actor avoidance attachment and positively predicted by partner relationship quality. No actor or partner effects of conflict resolution style on relationship quality were observed. Overall, partners with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance reported more dysfunctional conflict resolution styles and less satisfaction with the relationship.

Keywords

adult attachmentconflict resolutiondyadic data analysisrelationship qualityyoung-adult couples
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 24 , 2021 , e5
Copyright
© Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2021

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Footnotes

Conflict of Interest: None

Funding Statement: This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (grant number: PSI2013-46830-P)

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