Exploring the Impact of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance on the Perception of Couple Conflict

Nathan D. Wood; Ronald J. Werner-Wilson; Trent S. Parker; Martha S. Perry

doi:10.1007/s10591-012-9202-x

Exploring the Impact of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance on the Perception of Couple Conflict

Nathan D. Wood, Ronald J. Werner-Wilson, Trent S. Parker, Martha S. Perry

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Attachment anxiety and avoidance have been shown to affect how an individual processes social information such as facial expressions. Previous work has not explored perception of couple relationships. The current study had 39 individuals observe images and videos of couples in conflict. Results suggest that individuals with higher attachment anxiety perceived more intensity in negative interactions/affect and less positive interactions/affect in the couples they observed. Implications for therapy, clinical supervision, and family life education are discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	416-428
Number of pages	13
Journal	Contemporary Family Therapy
Volume	34
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-012-9202-x
State	Published - Sep 2012

Keywords

Attachment behavior
Couples
Observers
Perceptual style

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Cultural Studies
Clinical Psychology
Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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10.1007/s10591-012-9202-x

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abstract = "Attachment anxiety and avoidance have been shown to affect how an individual processes social information such as facial expressions. Previous work has not explored perception of couple relationships. The current study had 39 individuals observe images and videos of couples in conflict. Results suggest that individuals with higher attachment anxiety perceived more intensity in negative interactions/affect and less positive interactions/affect in the couples they observed. Implications for therapy, clinical supervision, and family life education are discussed.",

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KW - Perceptual style

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Exploring the Impact of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance on the Perception of Couple Conflict

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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