A safe haven: an attachment theory perspective on support seeking and caregiving in intimate relationships

This study used an attachment theoretical framework to investigate support-seeking and caregiving processes in intimate relationships. Dating couples (N = 93) were videotaped while one member of the couple (support seeker) disclosed a personal problem to his or her partner (caregiver). Results indic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of personality and social psychology Vol. 78; no. 6; p. 1053
Main Authors Collins, N L, Feeney, B C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.2000
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Caregivers - psychology
Family Characteristics
Female
Humans
Individuality
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Object Attachment
Social Support
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Summary:This study used an attachment theoretical framework to investigate support-seeking and caregiving processes in intimate relationships. Dating couples (N = 93) were videotaped while one member of the couple (support seeker) disclosed a personal problem to his or her partner (caregiver). Results indicated that when support seekers rated their problem as more stressful, they engaged in more direct support-seeking behavior, which led their partners to respond with more helpful forms of caregiving. Responsive caregiving then led seekers to feel cared for and to experience improved mood. Evidence for individual differences was also obtained: Avoidant attachment predicted ineffective support seeking, and anxious attachment predicted poor caregiving. Finally, couples in better functioning relationships engaged in more supportive interactions, and participants' perceptions of their interaction were biased by relationship quality and attachment style.
ISSN:0022-3514
DOI:10.1037/0022-3514.78.6.1053