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Couple conflict: Insights from an attachment perspective

journal contribution
posted on 2017-02-01, 00:00 authored by J A Feeney, Gery KarantzasGery Karantzas
The experience of conflict is often cited as a highly stressful relational phenomenon by romantic couples, and can have negative implications for relationship satisfaction and for the longevity of romantic relationships. In this paper, we review extant research on couple conflict in romantic relationships from an attachment theory perspective. The research we review is underpinned by two central tenets: firstly, severe or persistent conflict activates the attachment system; secondly, responses to couple conflict involve complex attachment dynamics, shaped by partners' attachment anxiety and avoidance. The research reviewed has important implications for both research and practice in the area of couple conflict, and clearly demonstrates how conflict can act as a stressor that shapes relationship functioning.

History

Journal

Current Opinion in Psychology

Volume

13

Pagination

60 - 64

ISSN

2352-250X

Publication classification

C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2016, Elsevier Ltd.