How anxious and avoidant attachment affect romantic relationship quality differently: A meta-analytic review

This meta-analysis quantitatively summarizes the relationships between the two insecure adult attachment dimensions—anxiety and avoidance—and various indicators of romantic relationship quality, including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. Drawing on 73 studies comprising 118 independent samples of 21,602 individuals, the analysis reveals that both attachment dimensions negatively impact relationship quality. Notably, avoidance is associated with lower general satisfaction, connectedness, and support in relationships compared to anxiety, which correlates more with heightened conflict. Gender was found to have a weak moderating effect on these associations, while the method of couple interaction measurement (self-report versus observation) significantly influenced the behavioral indicators of relationship quality. These findings enhance the understanding of adult attachment dynamics and their implications for romantic relationships. [NPID: Insecure attachment, anxiety, avoidance, emotional, cognitive, connectedness, relationships, measurement, romantic]

Year: 2012

Reference: Li, T., & Chan, D. K.-S. (2012). How anxious and avoidant attachment affect romantic relationship quality differently: A meta-analytic review. European Journal of Social Psychology, 42(4), 406–419. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.1842

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