Adult Attachment, Stress, and Romantic Relationships
Open accessAbstract
In this article, we discuss theory and research on how individuals who have insecure adult romantic attachment orientations typically think, feel, and behave when they or their romantic partners encounter certain types of chronic or acute stress. We first review basic principles of attachment theory and then discuss how two forms of attachment insecurity-anxiety and avoidance-are associated with unique patterns of emotion regulation in response to certain types of threatening/distressing situations. We then discuss a diathesis-stress process model that has guided our research, highlighting studies that provide support for certain pathways of the model.
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Secure attachment is linked to higher trust and responsibility.
“Secure attachment is linked to higher trust and responsibility (Simpson & Rholes, 2017), better intimacy (Pielage, Luteijn, & Arrindell, 2005), elevated selfconfidence, better communication skills (Guerrero, 1996), and a higher tendency for selfdisclosure (Sampthirao, 2016).”
From THE ROLE OF INTIMACY, BELONGING, SELF-ESTEEM INTHE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ANXIOUS, AVOIDANT ATTACHMENT AND FORGIVENESS AMONG MARRIED IRANIAN WOMEN (2021) · cites this paper as Simpson & Rholes, 2017
The Principles of Attachment Theory section describes an expectation that one can count on a partner for support, and the Conclusions describe secure individuals as perceiving partners’ intentions more benevolently; these support the trust portion of the claim. The paper describes constructive coping but does not establish that secure attachment is linked to higher responsibility. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredRumination is associated with challenges resolving conflict.
“Rumination is associated with negative emotional experiences in relationships [19], challenges resolving conflict [22], and increased rates of emotional distress and psychopathology [21].”
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“…and regulate emotions, their expectations about future attachment relationships, and how they will relate with romantic partners, especially in stressful/threatening situations (Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 1978; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2016; Simpson & Rholes, 2017; Wedding & Eisenman, 2006).”
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“Numerous studies have linked attachment insecurity to later relationship problems (Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundSupport Processes Predict Declines in Attachment Avoidance Across the Transition to Parenthood
Rholes, W. S., Eller, J., Simpson, J. A., & Arriaga, X. B. (2020) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167220948706 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“It is important to note, however, that the transition to parenthood is different for the two genders in that men are more strongly affected by both positive and negative events than women (e.g., Nelson-Coffey et al., 2019; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundSelf-citationTambelli, R., Cimino, S., Marzilli, E., Ballarotto, G., & Cerniglia, L. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182010649 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Specifically, in accordance with the Attachment Diathesis-Stress Process Model [85,86], attachment insecurity represents a diathesis that may lead to a maladaptive response when facing stressful life experiences, influencing how the individual perceives the stressful stimulus and subsequent behaviors of seeking suppor…”
ResultThe Role of Attachment, Insecurity, and Stress in Partner Maltreatment: A Meta-Analysis
Knox, L., Karantzas, G. C., & Ferguson, E. K. (2023) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380231161012 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“…avoidance are associated with differential ways of regulating distress, research has increasingly considered stress as a critical contextual moderator that may strengthen the associations between attachment insecurity and maladaptive behaviors in close relationships (Simpson & Rholes, 2012, 2017).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialBrandão, T., Brites, R., Hipólito, J., & Nunes, O. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-02809-5 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“Because more insecurely attached individuals tend to perceive others as unavailable, insensitive, or unresponsive (Pietromonaco & Barrett, 2000; Simpson & Rholes, 2017), we believe that they can also experience more emotional invalidation within interpersonal relationships.”
BackgroundHu, Y., Wang, J., Lin, Y., & Zhang, B. (2022) · Learning and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2022.102251 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Murta, S. G., Parada, P. D. O., Meneses, S. D. S., Medeiros, J. V. V., Balbino, A. M., Rodrigues, M. C., Miura, M. A., dos Santos, T. A. A., & de Vries, H. (2020) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-020-08487-x · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“…themselves in vigilance for signs of partner distancing as well as elevated investment in maintaining closeness by compulsively searching for support, which can over-whelm partners [40, 43] and translate into violent out-bursts in addition to indifference, threats, insults, and possessiveness.”
BackgroundLin, W., & Chiao, C. (2024) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106624 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Senese, V. P., Miranda, M. C., Lansford, J. E., Bacchini, D., Nasti, C., & Rohner, R. P. (2020) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407520912339 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“…(see, e.g., Bowlby, 1973; De Goede et al., 2012; Descutner & Thelen, 1991; Furman et al., 2014; Nummenmaa et al., 2015; Sherman & Thelen, 1996; Simpson & Rholes, 2017; Smith & Mackie, 2007), the specific and innovative aim of the present study was to investigate whether the relation between…”
BackgroundSasaki, E., Overall, N. C., Reis, H. T., Righetti, F., Chang, V. T., Low, R. S. T., Henderson, A. M. E., McRae, C. S., Cross, E. J., Jayamaha, S. D., et al. (2023) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/pspi0000419 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Chang, Y., Lee, Y.-T., & Hsieh, S. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16193537 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Based on previous studies about attachment, individuals with anxious or avoidant attachment to their parents may affect their interaction with other people, for example friends [31] or even romantic relationship, intimacy relationship or their spouse when they grow up [32].”
BackgroundMoreira, H., & Canavarro, M. C. (2016) · Families Systems & Health · doi:10.1037/fsh0000211 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Traumatic Stress, Attachment Style, and Health Outcomes in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients
Heenan, A., Greenman, P. S., Tassé, V., Zachariades, F., & Tulloch, H. E. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00075 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Laflamme, S. Z., Bouchard, K., Sztajerowska, K., Lalande, K. M., Greenman, P. S., & Tulloch, H. E. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269366 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Lacking this support and related adherence can lead to health deterioration and hospital readmission [4,5,7,8].”
BackgroundAttachment orientations, emotion goals, and emotion regulation
Brandão, T., Brites, R., Hipólito, J., & Nunes, O. (2022) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2022.112059 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Li, D., Li, D., & Yang, K. (2019) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407519865955 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“…association between early parent–child attachment and emerging adults’ romantic relationship quality (Kretschmer et al., 2017; Masarik et al., 2013; Simpson & Rholes, 2017), our findings moved beyond extant literature by suggesting that emerging adults’ attachment with their parents may also…”
ResultDemir-Dagdas, T. (2020) · Marriage & Family Review · doi:10.1080/01494929.2020.1754318 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Imagery‐induced negative affect, social touch and frontal EEG power band activity
Kraus, J., Román, R., Lacinová, L., Lamoš, M., Brázdil, M., & Fredrikson, M. (2020) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/sjop.12661 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Asis, K. M. R. D., Guillem, E. J. P., Reyes, F. A. M., & Samonte, M. J. C. (2020) · International Conference on Frontiers of Educational Technologies (ICFET) · doi:10.1145/3404709.3404745 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Youth’s Experiences of Cyber Violence in Intimate Relationships: A Matter of Love and Trust
Fernet, M., Hébert, M., Brodeur, G., Guyon, R., & Lapierre, A. (2023) · Journal of Child Sexual Abuse · doi:10.1080/10538712.2023.2167678 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“This is particularly true for individuals with higher scores related to attachment anxiety because they are more likely to infer their partner’s thoughts and feelings, often not accurately reflecting what their partner is really thinking or feeling (Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundCivilotti, C., Dennis, J., Maran, D. A., & Margola, D. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.662237 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Shrira, A., & Felsen, I. (2021) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0001014 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Attachment and adaptation to breast cancer: The mediating role of avoidant emotion processes
Brandão, T., Schulz, M. S., & Matos, P. M. (2018) · European Journal of Cancer Care · doi:10.1111/ecc.12830 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Heshmati, R., Azmoodeh, S., & Caltabiano, M. L. (2021) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000001323 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Intimacy is a prerequisite for secure attachment because human beings inherently want it (Simpson and Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundRelationship Functioning During COVID-19 QuarantinePreprint
Overall, N. C., Chang, V. T., Pietromonaco, P. R., Low, R. S. T., & Henderson, A. M. E. (2020) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/7cvdm · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Quickert, R. E., & MacDonald, T. K. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17186472 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Rumination is associated with negative emotional experiences in relationships [19], challenges resolving conflict [22], and increased rates of emotional distress and psychopathology [21].”
BackgroundRelationship satisfaction during COVID ‐19: The role of partners' perceived support and attachment
Bar‐Shachar, Y., Lopata, S., & Bar‐Kalifa, E. (2022) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.12767 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“By contrast, avoidantly attached people tend to adopt deactivating attachment strategies that are often manifested in withdrawal behaviors and insensitivity to their partners’ relational behaviors (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
After the end: Linguistic predictors of psychological distress 4 years after marital separation
Bourassa, K. J., Hasselmo, K., & Sbarra, D. A. (2018) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407518774428 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Elyasi, F., Parkoohi, P. I., Naseri, M., Gelehkolaee, K. S., Hamedi, M., Peyvandi, S., & Azizi, M. (2021) · International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM) · doi:10.18502/ijrm.v19i4.9061 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Individuals with different attachment styles seek to regulate their emotions and confrontations in such ways expressing their beliefs about themselves and others (12, 13).”
BackgroundSousa-Gomes, V., Lemos, L., Moreira, D., Ribeiro, F. N., & Fávero, M. (2023) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-022-00708-9 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“In contrast, emotional deactivation can be observed, translating a tendency to avoid any dependency of support, when this support has been experienced as inconsistent and unreliable (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2019; Simpson & Rholes, 2017; Umemura et al., 2018).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialYang, X., Huang, Y., & Li, B. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1274517 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Rentzios, C., & Karagiannopoulou, E. (2021) · Psychology · doi:10.4236/psych.2021.126055 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“This results in distancing/deactivating coping strategies in which avoidant individuals suppress negative thoughts and emotions to promote autonomy (Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundEmotional regulation and depression in a sample of separated and divorced Chilean adults
Garrido-Rojas, L., Guzmán‐González, M., Mendoza-Llanos, R., Rivera-Ottenberger, D., & Contreras-Garay, P. (2019) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-018-0103-5 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Sensory experiences of one’s deceased spouse in older adults: An analysis of predisposing factors
Kamp, K. S., Steffen, E. M., Moskowitz, A. K., & Spindler, H. (2020) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2020.1839865 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Carbonneau, N., Cantin, M., Barbeau, K., Lavigne, G. L., & Lussier, Y. (2021) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13093124 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Individuals who are avoidant have negative working models of others, such that they perceive others as being emotionally unavailable or conceive support seeking as undesirable [21].”
BackgroundInfluentialSchwarzer, N.-H., Dietrich, L., Gingelmaier, S., Nolte, T., Bolz, T., & Fonagy, P. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1204666 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“(2003) proposed that IWMs serve as a mental mechanism that allows for adaption and selfregulation even in adulthood (Simpson and Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundPeng, X. B., Gillath, O., Jiang, M., Wang, B., Zhang, J., & Wu, L. (2023) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.12891 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Ha, T., Rodwell, D., & Senserrick, T. M. (2023) · Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.trf.2023.10.024 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Morales-Sanhueza, J., & Parra, G. M.-M. (2024) · Psychiatry International · doi:10.3390/psychiatryint5040065 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Patterns of Romantic Pathways among 23 Year Olds and their Adolescent Antecedents
Shulman, S., Seiffge‐Krenke, I., Ziv, I., & Tuval‐Mashiach, R. (2019) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-018-0951-1 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Brulin, J. G., Shaver, P. R., Mikulincer, M., & Granqvist, P. (2022) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075221082602 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“They are thus less inclined to seek support from others (Holmberg et al., 2011) and more likely to rely on coping strategies that involve cognitive and social distancing as well as emotional disengagement (Mikulincer & Florian, 1998; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2016; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundPsychological and cognitive complaints in individuals with love addiction
Giacobbe, C., Maggi, G., Borrello, L., Barone, A., Mastromarino, C., Antonelli, P., & Santangelo, G. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders Reports · doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2024.100785 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Tucker, J. S., Rodriguez, A., Davis, J. P., & D’Amico, E. J. (2022) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02106-5 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“…theory, anxiety reflects the extent to which individuals worry about being underappreciated or abandoned in their relationships, whereas avoidance reflects the extent to which individuals are uncomfortable with closeness and emotional intimacy in their relationships (Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundInfluentialBassi, G., Mancinelli, E., Spaggiari, S., Lis, A., Salcuni, S., & Riso, D. D. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19148666 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“These conflicting perceptions lead anxious individuals to question their worth, they worry about losing their partners, and they remain vigilant to signs that their partners might leave them [8,9].”
BackgroundGottlieb, L. Y., & Schmitt, D. P. (2022) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02457-7 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“However, each attachment style is associated with specific coping mechanisms for affect regulation in response to distress or threat (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundNieforth, L. O., Rodriguez, K. E., Zhuang, R., Miller, E. A., Sabbaghi, A., Schwichtenberg, A. J., Granger, D. A., & O’Haire, M. E. (2024) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50626-y · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“The attachment system, as a mechanism for survival, turns on when an individual experiences stress 37 .”
BackgroundSchwarze, C. E., Lerche, V., Wallwiener, S., & Pauen, S. (2024) · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · doi:10.1186/s12884-024-06757-9 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“As a consequence, they experience social stress more easily [54] and find it harder to feel supported by their partners [55] which increases the likelihood to develop depressive symptoms [56, 57].”
BackgroundCan Expressing Positivity Elicit Support for Negative Events? A Process Model and Review
Walsh, R. M., & Forest, A. L. (2020) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868320961899 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“However, a rich history of research on support processes has emphasized the importance of having one’s needs met during stressful or challenging times (e.g., Collins et al., 2010; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2009; Simpson & Rholes, 2012, 2017; Taylor, 1991).”
BackgroundMuñoz, R. T., Pharris, A. B., & Hellman, C. M. (2021) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-021-00282-5 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Hatice, D. S. (2017) · Educational Research and Reviews · doi:10.5897/err2017.3306 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“The attachment behaviours exhibited by individuals are based on internal working models/mental models that are formed by their past experiences (Simpson and Rholes, 2017).”
Risk factors for traumatic bonding and associations with PTSD symptoms: A moderated mediation
Shaughnessy, E., Simons, R. M., Simons, J. S., & Freeman, H. (2023) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106390 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Alhuzail, N. A., Avi Besser, A., & Zeigler‐Hill, V. (2024) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph21101281 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“As in other studies in the field of attachment, it is attachment anxiety that is strongly associated with reactivity, especially in stressful situations related to romantic relationships [64].”
BackgroundAdult Attachment and Long-term Mate Preferences in Iran
Afhami, R., & Rafiee, P. (2019) · Evolutionary Psychological Science · doi:10.1007/s40806-019-00221-0 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
A dyadic approach to attachment anxiety and avoidance, marital conflict, and drinking
Rodriguez, L. M., Gius, B. K., Derrick, J. L., & Leonard, K. E. (2020) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407520922612 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“…consequences (McNally et al., 2003), as well as that when more anxious people encounter relationship stressors, they perceive their partners and relationships more negatively and behave in more relationship-damaging ways (Collins et al., 2006; Gallo & Smith, 2001; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundSonkin, D. J., Ferreira, R. J., Hamel, J., Buttell, F., & Frías, M. T. (2019) · Violence and Victims · doi:10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-17-00086 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“…scoring high in attachment insecurities tend to have poor emotion regulation and interpersonal conflict problem-solving skills (Schore & Schore, 2008; Simpson & Rholes, 2017), we predicted that both dimensions of attachment insecurities would correlate negatively with relationship skills.”
BackgroundRisks and resources for college students’ mental health: ACEs, attachment, and mindfulness
Hatton‐Bowers, H., Lombardi, C. M., Kemp, B. R., Decker, K. B., Virmani, E. A., Brophy‐Herb, H. E., & Vallotton, C. D. (2021) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2021.1942007 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Tacchino, C., Castellano, R., Rogier, G., Cocchiaro, T., Lago, A. D., Rago, R., & Velotti, P. (2025) · Journal of Marital and Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/jmft.70073 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“These findings can be interpreted in light of the typical tendencies of avoidantly attached individuals to distrust others and defensively suppress negative emotions and thoughts (Simpson and Rholes 2017).”
InfluentialWendołowska, A. M., Czyżowska, N., & Czyżowska, D. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192316211 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“In a stressful situation, they suppress emotions, and create a physical and mental distance that gives them a sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency [39].”
BackgroundFostering Attachment Security: The Role of Interdependent Situations
Righetti, F., Balliet, D. P., Molho, C., Columbus, S., Faure, R., Bahar, Y., Iqmal, M., Semenchenko, A., & Arriaga, X. B. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17207648 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Attachment anxiety, tracking accuracy, and biased memory of prior relationship evaluations
Chang, V. T., & Overall, N. C. (2022) · Personal Relationships · doi:10.1111/pere.12417 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Ene, J. C., Chukwu, N. E., & Ajibo, H. T. (2022) · European Journal of Mental Health · doi:10.5708/ejmh.17.2022.3.3 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“The Attachment theory is conceptualized as the family caregivers’ uncompromising effort to continue providing for older adults’ health needs (Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundChasson, M., Ben‐Yaakov, O., & Ben‐Ari, O. T. –. (2021) · Child & Family Social Work · doi:10.1111/cfs.12883 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“As the transition to parenthood is a life event that may trigger stress, it may result in increased activation of parents' attachment styles (Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundBelonging to the Ace Spectrum: Correlates of Cognitions, Feelings, and Desires of Ace Individuals
Carvalho, A. C., & Rodrigues, D. L. (2024) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-023-00910-3 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“…those with an avoidant attachment tend to be emotionally distant from their partners, avoid closeness, and fear intimacy, whereas those with an anxious attachment tend to seek care and attention, fear abandonment, and worry about rejection (Brennan et al., 1998; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
Zafran, H. (2024) · Occupational Therapy in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/0164212x.2024.2431823 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“” We addressed her relational avoidance as part of the process of engaging in therapy, and again as she began entering the world of dating (Simpson & Rholes, 2017), until she was able to pause, identify and work through her cognitive and affective conflictual responses to intimacy.”
Zhao, J., Tadros, E., Sohn, A., Lucena, C., & Cochren‐Albright, K. (2025) · Crime & Delinquency · doi:10.1177/00111287251330784 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Consequently, people with an insecure attachment style are more likely to experience less satisfaction in their relationships (Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
Liang, Y., Liu, X., Zhang, H., Wang, Y., & Zhong, L. (2025) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105282 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
The association between romantic competence and couple support behaviors in emerging adult couples
Zhou, J., Bhatia, V., Luginbuehl, T., & Davila, J. (2020) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407520980533 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“…addition, because individuals who are more anxious about abandonment tend to seek proximity with partners and use emotion focused coping strategies (Simpson & Rholes, 2017), in a support context this may inhibit negative support seeking and may be met with positive support and caretaking from…”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSpousal absence and well‐being: Evidence from China's internal migration
Guo, L., Iacovou, M., & Huang, J. (2021) · Population Space and Place · doi:10.1002/psp.2513 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Çelikbaş, Z., & Alkar, Ö. Y. (2022) · Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1007/s10942-022-00446-2 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Becoming Dad: Expectant Fathers’ Attachment Style and Prenatal Representations of the Unborn Child
Svendsrud, H., Fredriksen, E., Moe, V., Smith, L., Tsotsi, S., Ullebø, A. K., Vatne, G. B., Kaasen, A., & Bekkhus, M. (2023) · Children · doi:10.3390/children10071187 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“An avoidant attachment style in the romantic relationship is characterized by the dampening of emotions and distancing strategies to maintain independence, control and autonomy [58].”
BackgroundInfluentialBlake, J. A., Thomas, H. J., Pelecanos, A. M., Najman, J. M., & Scott, J. G. (2024) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104273 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
- Authors
- Simpson, J. A., & Rholes, W. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Texas A&M University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Simpson, Jeffry A
- Rholes, W Steven
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Psychology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-02
- Volume
- 13
- Pages
- 19-24
- ISSN
- 2352-250X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4845754
- OpenAlex
- W2336040666
- Cited by
- 362
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 49 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 1.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH49599)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- adult attachment, insecure attachment, romantic relationships, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, emotion regulation, stress, diathesis-stress model, chronic stress, acute stress
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Love, Models, Psychological, Object Attachment, Stress, Psychological
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