title: [Differences in relationship quality and dyadic coping for attachment-related couple types].
abstract: Attachment is associated with important relationship characteristics. Based on partners' scores of attachment dimensions anxiety and avoidance a cluster analysis with 304 couples was conducted and it was examined whether attachment-related couple types differ in self-reported relationship quality and dyadic coping. 3 couple types were identified: secure couples (N=114, both partners with low scores on anxiety and avoidance), fearful-avoidant couples (N=62, both partners with higher scores on both attachment dimensions than secure couples) and mixed-couples (N=128, men with higher anxiety scores than women). Secure couples reported better relationship quality as well as more positive and less negative dyadic coping compared to fearful-avoidant and mixed couples. Findings are discussed regarding the inclusion of partners' attachment characteristics in diagnostics and marital therapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Psychologie Kinder/Jugendliche & Paare/Familien, Universität Zürich, 8050 Zürich, Schweiz. simona.gagliardi@uzh.ch
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gagliardi
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bodenmann
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heinrichs
authors.forename: Annamarta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maria Bertoni
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iafrate
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donato
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009769:Object Attachment; D011594:Psychometrics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors