Avoidant attachment in relationship outcomescross-cultural, dyadic, and gender approaches

Resumen

How avoidantly attached individuals solve their conflicts (by using specific conflict resolution strategies) is a relevant factor to explain relationship satisfaction. This thesis consists of five cross-sectional correlational studies carried out with individuals involved in an exclusive couple relationship. Own and partner¿s perceived conflict resolution strategies have been analyzed through the validation of the Revised Conflict Inventory in Spanish, Turkish, and Hebrew (Study 1), in people with high scores in the avoidant dimension of attachment (n = 274), and its influence on relationship satisfaction from an individual perspective has also examined (Study 2). Furthermore, using a dyadic perspective (actor and partner), in a sample of 175 heterosexual couples we examined the relationship between withdrawal and demand conflict resolution strategies in avoidantly attached individuals, as well as its association with relationship satisfaction (Study 3). In another study, we addressed the question of how culture and gender may affect close relationships in a sample of 334 women from Spain, Turkey, USA, and Israel; specifically, we examined how some cultural dimensions (i.e. country-individualism and country-masculinity) shape the way avoidantly attached individuals cope with their conflicts, and in turn, how this eventually affects their relationship satisfaction (Study 4). Lastly, through a sample of individuals who were confined together with their partners (n = 275), we analyzed the effect exerted by Covid19-related home confinement on conflict resolution strategies and relationship satisfaction levels, also taking into account perceived partner support and some stressors associated with the lockdown situation (Study 5). Overall, the results show the existence of a conflict resolution pattern (withdrawal/demand) in moreavoidantly attached individuals that explains their lower levels of relationship satisfaction at both actor and partner levels. This conflict pattern, in turn, is more evident: a) in certain cultures (Spain and Israel) than in others (Turkey and USA), and b) also during a stressful situation such as confinement vs. pre-confinement. In the case of women, moreover, the perception of demand in their partner is a relevant variable to explain their low relationship satisfaction; culture-based differences were observed in the size of such association. // How avoidantly attached individuals solve their conflicts (by using specific conflict resolution strategies) is a relevant factor to explain relationship satisfaction. This thesis consists of five cross-sectional correlational studies carried out with individuals involved in an exclusive couple relationship. Own and partner¿s perceived conflict resolution strategies have been analyzed through the validation of the Revised Conflict Inventory in Spanish, Turkish, and Hebrew (Study 1), in people with high scores in the avoidant dimension of attachment (n = 274), and its influence on relationship satisfaction from an individual perspective has also examined (Study 2). Furthermore, using a dyadic perspective (actor and partner), in a sample of 175 heterosexual couples we examined the relationship between withdrawal and demand conflict resolution strategies in avoidantly attached individuals, as well as its association with relationship satisfaction (Study 3). In another study, we addressed the question of how culture and gender may affect close relationships in a sample of 334 women from Spain, Turkey, USA, and Israel; specifically, we examined how some cultural dimensions (i.e. country-individualism and country-masculinity) shape the way avoidantly attached individuals cope with their conflicts, and in turn, how this eventually affects their relationship satisfaction (Study 4). Lastly, through a sample of individuals who were confined together with their partners (n = 275), we analyzed the effect exerted by Covid19-related home confinement on conflict resolution strategies and relationship satisfaction levels, also taking into account perceived partner support and some stressors associated with the lockdown situation (Study 5). Overall, the results show the existence of a conflict resolution pattern (withdrawal/demand) in moreavoidantly attached individuals that explains their lower levels of relationship satisfaction at both actor and partner levels. This conflict pattern, in turn, is more evident: a) in certain cultures (Spain and Israel) than in others (Turkey and USA), and b) also during a stressful situation such as confinement vs. pre-confinement. In the case of women, moreover, the perception of demand in their partner is a relevant variable to explain their low relationship satisfaction; culture-based differences were observed in the size of such association.