A longitudinal study of conflict in new parents: The role of attachment

W. Steven Rholes, Jamie L. Kohn, Jeffry A. Simpson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this longitudinal study of the transition to parenthood, couples reported on their own conflict resolution tactics and their perceptions of their partners' tactics. Their reports were analyzed in terms of their own and their partners' attachment styles. The results showed that more anxious and more avoidant persons used less effective conflict resolution styles. They showed that both actor and partner attachment styles were related to conflict resolution tactics. They also showed that in some cases less avoidant and less anxious persons showed improvement over time, using fewer ineffective and more effective resolution tactics. More avoidant and more anxious individuals, in contrast, showed little improvement and in some cases even showed decline over time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-21
Number of pages21
JournalPersonal Relationships
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014

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