Adult Attachment Conflict Resolution And Relationship Satisfaction In Premarital Adult Romantic Relationships

Satisfaction within interpersonal relationships plays an extensive role in the overall well-being of human beings (Campbell, et al. 2005). In light of this, there is great significance in studying predictors of Relationship Satisfaction (RS). While research on Adult Attachment (AA) Theory (Brennan & Shaver, 1995), and Conflict Resolution (CR) styles (Gottman, 1994), has found both to independently influence RS, there is still little insight into how CR style affects or better explains the relationship between AA style and RS. The present study conducted a correlational study to explore these missing links. The sample included 477 premarital individuals aged between 18 and 40 years. Participants completed online questionnaires measuring AA style and CR style, and, in addition for those currently in a relationship (N = 271), RS. Correlation analyses supported previous findings of negative correlations between Insecure AA style, positive CR styles and RS and positive correlations between Secure AA style, positive CR styles and RS. Furthermore, mediation analyses found that use of CR styles; Collaborating, Compromising and Avoidant, partially mediated the relationship between AA and RS. Likewise, moderation analyses found the same CR styles to also demonstrate a significant moderation effect between the AA subscales; Anxiety and Avoidance, and RS. Regardless of CR style use, RS scores did not differ for those with low AA subscale scores. Yet, with high Collaborating/Compromising use and low Avoiding use, RS scores were significantly greater for those with high AA subscales scores. These results are important as they allow more insight into predictors of RS and aid the development of interventions aimed at helping individuals to adopt more positive styles of resolving interpersonal conflict, which may increase not only their satisfaction within their intimate relationships but ultimately in life in general.