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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 (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
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“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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Pietromonaco, P. R., & Overall, N. C. (2020) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/amp0000714 · Cited by 464
Holte, A. J., & Ferraro, F. R. (2020) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2020.106465 · Cited by 122
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Self-citationPietromonaco, P. R., & Overall, N. C. (2021) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.014 · Cited by 94
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Early secure attachment as a protective factor against later cognitive decline and dementia
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“Individuals with insecure attachment profiles will be less able to access fruitful and supportive relationships (Simpson and Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundOverall, N. C., Chang, V. T., Pietromonaco, P. R., Low, R. S. T., & Henderson, A. M. E. (2021) · Social Psychological and Personality Science · doi:10.1177/1948550621992973 · Cited by 83
“Integrating the VSA model with diathesis–stress models of attachment (Simpson & Rholes, 2012, 2017), Pietromonaco and Overall (2020) suggested attachment insecurity would be particularly important in determining adaptation to the stress arising from the pandemic.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSex-Related Differences in Plasma Oxytocin Levels in Humans
Marazziti, D., Baroni, S., Mucci, F., Piccinni, A., Moroni, I., Giannaccini, G., Carmassi, C., Massimetti, E., & Dell’Osso, L. (2019) · Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health · doi:10.2174/1745017901915010058 · Cited by 80
Brandão, T., Matias, M., Ferreira, T., Vieira, J. M., Schulz, M. S., & Matos, P. M. (2019) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.12523 · Cited by 109
“In regard to the second linking mechanism, past research suggests that anxiously attached individuals tend to escalate their efforts to get their partners to respond to relational needs (Simpson & Rholes, 2017) and this may limit partners' ability to deal with their own emotions.”
BackgroundLiu, K., Chen, W., Wang, H., Geng, J., & Lei, L. (2020) · Child Care Health and Development · doi:10.1111/cch.12839 · Cited by 57
Online dating and psychological wellbeing: A social compensation perspective
Toma, C. L. (2022) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101331 · Cited by 62
Buffering and spillover of adult attachment insecurity in couple and family relationships
Overall, N. C., Pietromonaco, P. R., & Simpson, J. A. (2022) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-021-00011-1 · Cited by 62
Self-citationTagini, S., Brugnera, A., Ferrucci, R., Mazzocco, K., Pievani, L., Priori, A., Ticozzi, N., Compare, A., Silani, V., Pravettoni, G., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.634012 · Cited by 54
Measuring a New Stress Domain: Validation of the Couple-Level Minority Stress Scale
Neilands, T. B., LeBlanc, A. J., Frost, D. M., Bowen, K., Sullivan, P. S., Hoff, C. C., & Chang, J. Y. (2019) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-019-01487-y · Cited by 56
Ferraro, I. K., & Taylor, A. M. (2021) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2021.110641 · Cited by 47
Szepsenwol, O., Simpson, J. A., Griskevicius, V., Zamir, O., Young, E. S., Shoshani, A., & Doron, G. (2021) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579421001371 · Cited by 48
“Moreover, studies have shown that insecure individuals find it harder to control negative emotions that arise in their relationships, and often rely on their partners to regain equanimity (Overall & Simpson, 2015; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundSelf-citationObeïd, S., Sacre, H., Haddad, C., Akel, M., Fares, K., Zakhour, M., Kheir, N., Salameh, P., & Hallit, S. R. (2019) · Perspectives In Psychiatric Care · doi:10.1111/ppc.12438 · Cited by 48
Ye, Z.-L., Wei, X., Zhang, J., Li, H., & Cao, J.-G. (2023) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-023-04613-1 · Cited by 45
“When children do not receive consistent and reliable protection and support from their primary caregivers, such as adverse childhood experiences, they may develop inse-cure attachment styles (Simons et al., 2014; Smith et al., 2016).”
Romantic relationships, sexuality, and psychotic disorders: A systematic review of recent findings.
Cloutier, B., Francoeur, A., Samson, C., Ghostine, A., & Lecomte, T. (2020) · Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal · doi:10.1037/prj0000409 · Cited by 44
Cataudella, S., Rogier, G., Zobel, S. B., & Velotti, P. (2021) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380211050595 · Cited by 42
“According to attachment theory, individuals with anxious attachment have a negative self-image and an expectation that their attachment need will not be met (Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundGaining feedback acceptance: Leader-member attachment style and psychological safety
London, M., Volmer, J., Zyberaj, J., & Kluger, A. N. (2023) · Human Resource Management Review · doi:10.1016/j.hrmr.2023.100953 · Cited by 35
How We Disenfranchise Grief for Self and Other: An Empirical Study
Soysal, G. C., & Arı, E. (2022) · OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying · doi:10.1177/00302228221075203 · Cited by 43
“The avoidant attachment style is associated with diminished interaction, intimacy and attachment during adulthood, suppression of emotions, and cognitions to bond with others (Dozier & Kobak, 1992; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundCarvalho, A. C., & Rodrigues, D. L. (2022) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02187-2 · Cited by 34
“Anxiety is defined by the need for care and attention, and uncertainty about the responsiveness of the other person (Brennan et al., 1998; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundBrugnera, A., Zarbo, C., Farina, B., Picardi, A., Greco, A., Coco, G. L., Tasca, G. A., Carlucci, S., Auteri, A., Greco, F., et al. (2019) · Research in Psychotherapy Psychopathology Process and Outcome · doi:10.4081/ripppo.2019.392 · Cited by 29
“…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).”
BackgroundFriendship loss and dissolution in adulthood: A conceptual model
Vieth, G., Rothman, A. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2021) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.007 · Cited by 27
Self-citationFávero, M., Lemos, L., Moreira, D. S., Ribeiro, F. N., & Sousa‐Gomes, V. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.723823 · Cited by 50
Stress Spillover and Crossover in Couple Relationships: Integrating Religious Beliefs and Prayer
Cooper, A. N., May, R. W., & Fincham, F. D. (2019) · Journal of Family Theory & Review · doi:10.1111/jftr.12330 · Cited by 29
“These include self-regulation and depletion (Baumeister, 2002), work-to-home spillover models (Grzywacz et al., 2002; Matjasko & Feldman, 2006; McDonald & Almeida, 2004), and attachment theory (Bowlby 1958, 1982; Simpson & Rholes, 2017).”
BackgroundDefault defenses: the character defenses of attachment-anxiety and attachment-avoidance
Richardson, E. N., Beath, A., & Boag, S. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03919-w · Cited by 25
Disentangle the neural correlates of attachment style in healthy individuals
Perlini, C., Bellani, M., Rossetti, M. G., Zovetti, N., Rossin, G., Bressi, C., & Brambilla, P. (2019) · Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences · doi:10.1017/s2045796019000271 · Cited by 29
“These findings may suggest, as others previously theorised, that specific attachment styles are associated with different stress-coping strategies and patterns of emotion regulation (Simpson and Rholes, 2017) and that the hippocampus is involved not only in memory but also in emotions, conflicts processing and stress…”
BackgroundThe Not-Forgotten Child: Alienated Adult Children’s Experience of Parental Alienation
Bentley, C., & Matthewson, M. L. (2020) · American Journal of Family Therapy · doi:10.1080/01926187.2020.1775531 · Cited by 27
“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
“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 29
“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 32
“…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 25
“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 25
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
“…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 26
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, 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 22
Chang, Y., Lee, Y.-T., & Hsieh, S. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16193537 · Cited by 19
“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 24
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 23
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
“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 23
Li, D., Li, D., & Yang, K. (2019) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407519865955 · Cited by 18
“…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
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 21
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
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
“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. L., Maran, D. A., & Margola, D. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.662237 · Cited by 25
Shrira, A., & Felsen, I. (2021) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0001014 · Cited by 19
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
Heshmati, R., Azmoodeh, S., & Caltabiano, M. L. (2021) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000001323 · Cited by 15
“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
Quickert, R. E., & MacDonald, T. K. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17186472 · Cited by 14
“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 15
“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
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
“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
“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 17
Rentzios, C., & Karagiannopoulou, E. (2021) · Psychology · doi:10.4236/psych.2021.126055 · Cited by 13
“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
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
Carbonneau, N., Cantin, M., Barbeau, K., Lavigne, G. L., & Lussier, Y. (2021) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13093124 · Cited by 13
“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 17
“(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
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 14
Morales-Sanhueza, J., & Parra, G. M.-M. (2024) · Psychiatry International · doi:10.3390/psychiatryint5040065 · Cited by 14
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
Brulin, J. G., Shaver, P. R., Mikulincer, M., & Granqvist, P. (2022) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075221082602 · Cited by 12
“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
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 14
“…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
“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 13
“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 13
“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
“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
“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 15
Hatice, D. S. (2017) · Educational Research and Reviews · doi:10.5897/err2017.3306 · Cited by 11
“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 14
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
“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
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
“…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
“…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
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
“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
“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 10
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
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
“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 8
“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
“…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
“” 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
“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
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
“…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
Çelikbaş, Z., & Alkar, Ö. Y. (2022) · Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1007/s10942-022-00446-2 · Cited by 12
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
“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
Metadata
- 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
- 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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