Attachment Styles

Another hypothesis on predicting successful long-term relationships involves attachment styles. Brennan and Shaver (1995) propose that attachment styles formed in childhood can effect attachment in romantic relationships. Their study found that securely attached (low fear of closeness, low fear of abandonment) people are the most happy in relationships.

Furthermore, a study by Klohnen and Bera (1998) found that 95% of women with secure attachment style married, with 24% experiencing divorce. In contrast 75% of women with avoidant attachment styles married but 50% divorced. This provides strong evidence that attachment styles may play a role in the success of a long-term relationship.

The relationship success of secure attachments has been found to have many reasons. Chappell and Davis (1998) report secure attachments have more positive and less negative emotions. Others benefits include: increased trust, commitment and a deeper friendship (Baldwin, Keelan, Fehr, Enns & Koh-Rangarajoo, 1996).



References

Baldwin, M., Keelan, J., Fehr, B., Enns, V., & Koh-Rangarajoo, E. (1996). Social-cognition conceptualization of attachment working models: Availability and accessibility effects. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71, 94-109.

Brennan, K., & Shaver, P. (1995). Dimensions of adult attachment, affect regulation, and romanic relationship functioning. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 21, 267-283.

Chappell, K., & Davis, K. (1998). Attachment, partner choice, and perception of romantic partners: An experimental test of the attachment-security hypothesis. Personal Relationships, 5, 327-342.

Klohnen, E., & Bera, S. (1998). Behavioral and experiential patterns of avoidantly and securely attached women across adulthood: A 31-year longitudinal perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 211-223.