The Detrimental Effects of Relationship Conflict: Evaluating Coping Strategies as Mediators of the Association Between Adult Romantic Attachment and Relationship Quality

cent advances in attachment theory have seen the key concepts of attachment processes and attachment styles applied to adults’ romantic relationships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). An important feature of romantic relationships is the way in which couples cope with conflict, which is inevitable in all ongoing relationships (Canary, Cupach, & Messman, 1995). This study examined the associations between attachment dimensions (avoidance and anxiety) and relationship quality in adults’ romantic relationships through analyses of the mediating effects of coping strategies. All participants (N = 376, age 17-72, 55% female) were in ongoing relationships of at least three months’ duration, and were recruited through researchers’ social networks. In an online survey incorporating a standardised conflict scenario, they completed measures of romantic attachment, relationship quality, personality, and strategies for coping with relationship conflict. The main hypotheses concerned the mediating role of coping strategies in the associations between attachment dimensions and relationship quality. Specifically, it was predicted that the association between attachment anxiety and poor relationship quality would be mediated by hyperactivating coping, and that the association between attachment avoidance and poor relationship quality would be mediated by deactivating coping and by low levels of constructive coping. Additionally, it was hypothesised that attachment measures would explain more of the variance in relationship quality than neuroticism and extraversion. The hypotheses were supported, with the exception of deactivating coping as a mediator between attachment avoidance and poor relationship quality. Counsellors and clinicians who work with distressed couples can apply research findings of this nature to assist couples to deal effectively with conflict and to foster strong couple bonds. Future research in this domain would benefit from the use of longitudinal designs or laboratory studies, to solidify and extend these findings and their applications.