title: Attachment Change in the Beginning Stages of Therapy: Examining Change Trajectories for Avoidance and Anxiety.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of self-reported attachment change (avoidance and anxiety) in the context of six sessions of couple therapy designed to emphasize both therapist-centered and couple-centered (i.e., enactment-based) clinical process during the beginning stages of therapy. A total of 48 couples with at least one partner who reported clinically significant relationship dissatisfaction participated in this study. Findings confirmed that some couples experience positive attachment-related change (anxiety or avoidance), while also identifying a subset of individuals who may not experience optimal levels of attachment-related change. In addition, findings point toward both differences and similarities between change trajectories for avoidance and anxiety. Finally, there was evidence that socio-demographic factors may be associated with attachment change.
authors.affiliation: Utah State University.
authors.forename: Ryan B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Seedall
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University.
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University.
authors.forename: Justin P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zamora
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University.
authors.forename: Chongming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D019546:Couples Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D055815:Young Adult