Couple Conflict: Insights from an Attachment Perspective

Feeney, Judith A; Karantzas, Gery C

doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.017

Cited by 123Attachment and Relationship DynamicsFamily Dynamics and RelationshipsMarriage and Sexual Relationships

Couple Conflict: Insights from an Attachment Perspective

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Feeney, Judith A, Karantzas, Gery C·2017·Current Opinion in Psychology

DOI 10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.017

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Abstract

The experience of conflict is often cited as a highly stressful relational phenomenon by romantic couples, and can have negative implications for relationship satisfaction and for the longevity of romantic relationships. In this paper, we review extant research on couple conflict in romantic relationships from an attachment theory perspective. The research we review is underpinned by two central tenets: firstly, severe or persistent conflict activates the attachment system; secondly, responses to couple conflict involve complex attachment dynamics, shaped by partners' attachment anxiety and avoidance. The research reviewed has important implications for both research and practice in the area of couple conflict, and clearly demonstrates how conflict can act as a stressor that shapes relationship functioning.

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Relational conflicts are more common and more severe for anxious people.
“Relational conflicts are more common and more severe for anxious people.”
From The Predictive Role of Self-Esteem, Attachment Styles, and Family of Origin Functions in Explaining Conflict Resolution in Romantic Relationships (2022) · cites this paper as Feeney & Karantzas, 2017
People with anxious attachment styles tend to ignore their partner's needs and force them to give more attention to themselves.
“People with anxious attachment styles tend to ignore their partner's needs and force them to give more attention to themselves.”
From The Predictive Role of Self-Esteem, Attachment Styles, and Family of Origin Functions in Explaining Conflict Resolution in Romantic Relationships (2022) · cites this paper as Feeney & Karantzas, 2017
People with avoidant attachment styles tend to become distant in their romantic relationships, especially during conflicts, and tend to ignore their partners and reduce their intimacy with them.
“People with avoidant attachment styles tend to become distant in their romantic relationships, especially during conflicts, and they tend to ignore their partners and reduce their intimacy with them (Hazan & Shaver, 1987; Feeney & Karantzas, 2017).”
From The Predictive Role of Self-Esteem, Attachment Styles, and Family of Origin Functions in Explaining Conflict Resolution in Romantic Relationships (2022) · cites this paper as Feeney & Karantzas, 2017
Anxious individuals use a negative conflict resolution style while avoidant individuals use a retreat style.
“Feeney and Karantzas (2017) stated that anxious individuals use negative conflict resolution style while avoidant individuals use retreat style.”
From The Predictive Role of Self-Esteem, Attachment Styles, and Family of Origin Functions in Explaining Conflict Resolution in Romantic Relationships (2022) · cites this paper as Feeney and Karantzas (2017)
Attachment insecurity is associated with negative behaviors during conflict.
“Attachment insecurity has been associated with negative behaviors during conflict and decreased relationship satisfaction.”
From Being in the moment so you can keep moving forward: Mindfulness and rumination mediate the relationship between attachment orientations and negative conflict styles (2020) · cites this paper as [15]

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Authors: Feeney, J. A., & Karantzas, G. C.
Affiliations: The University of Queensland (AU)
Deakin University (AU)
Corresponding author: Feeney, Judith A
ORCID: Karantzas, Gery C
Venue: Current Opinion in Psychology
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2017-02
Volume: 13
Pages: 60-64
ISSN: 2352-250X (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.017
OpenAlex: W2346511883
Cited by: 123
References: 36
Citations by year: 2026: 10 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2
FWCI: 0.89
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
figshare.com
Licence: cc-by
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Current Opinion in Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Own your potential (DEAKIN) (submittedVersion)
Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
Keywords: couple conflict, romantic relationships, attachment theory, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, relationship stress, relationship satisfaction, relationship longevity

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Couple Conflict: Insights from an Attachment Perspective

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