Longitudinal associations between mindfulness and change in attachment orientations in couples: The role of relationship preoccupation and empathy
Open accessAbstract
Attachment orientations predict relationship outcomes and health and well-being, making it important to illuminate factors which enhance attachment security. We investigated how general and relationship-specific mindfulness predict changes in attachment orientations in couples over time, testing relationship preoccupation and partner-focused empathy as mediators. We also explored whether the longitudinal links between general mindfulness and attachment are bidirectional. Couples reported their general and relationship mindfulness and attachment orientations in a baseline session (Phase 1). They then reported relationship preoccupation and empathy each day for 14 days (Phase 2). Lastly, they reported general mindfulness and attachment orientations 2 months later (Phase 3). Results revealed that higher Phase 1 actor general—but not relationship—mindfulness directly predicted Phase 1-3 decreases in actor attachment anxiety. Conversely, greater Phase 1 actor relationship—but not general—mindfulness indirectly predicted Phase 1-3 decreases in actor attachment avoidance via greater Phase 2 actor empathy. Finally, lower Phase 1 actor and partner attachment anxiety directly predicted Phase 1-3 increases in general mindfulness. This research provides the first dyadic longitudinal demonstration of the interplay between partners’ mindfulness and attachment.
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Gazder and Stanton (2023) conducted a longitudinal study and found that individuals with more open attention and awareness were less likely to experience anxiety in close relationships.
“To gain insight into the directionality of effects, Gazder and Stanton (2023) conducted a longitudinal study and found that individuals with more open attention and awareness were less likely to experience anxiety in close relationships.”
From Mindfulness and attachment security in romantic relationships: The role of emotion regulation as a mediator. (2025) · cites this paper as Gazder and Stanton, 2023
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- Authors
- Gazder, T., & Stanton, S. C. E.
- Affiliations
- University of Edinburgh (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Gazder, Taranah
- Venue
- Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2022-11-16
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1398-1421
- ISSN
- 0265-4075 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-3608
- OpenAlex
- W4309323342
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3
- FWCI
- 3.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Social and Personal Relationships (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
- PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Economic and Social Research Council (ES/S005749/1)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- mindfulness, attachment orientation, couples, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, empathy, dyads, bidirectional effects, attachment security
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