Perceived Benefits and Costs of Romantic Relationships for Young People: Differences by Adult Attachment Style

ABSTRACT

Bowlby's attachment theory suggested that the attachment experiences of early childhood influence adult approaches to close relationships. As a result of these experiences, the child develops typical mental schemas or internal working models. The aim of this study was to analyze how young people with different attachment styles perceive the benefits and costs involved in spending as much time as possible with their partner, and to determine whether their beliefs reflect the internal working models associated with their attachment style. A sample of 1,539 university students responded to the Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowith, 1991), and to a questionnaire about behavioral beliefs (perceived benefits and costs). Results show that young people with different attachment styles hold different beliefs about the consequences derived from engaging in a specific behavior in romantic relationships. Secure and preoccupied individuals perceived more benefits than costs associated with the behavior, whereas dismissing and fearful individuals perceived more costs than benefits. Furthermore, secure and preoccupied individuals rated those behavioral consequences leading to enhanced intimacy or closeness more positively than avoidant individuals, whereas dismissing individuals rated more negatively those consequences that involved a loss of independence. These results confirm that a congruity exists between the beliefs associated with the behavior studied and the internal working models related to each adult attachment style.

KEYWORDS:

• Adult attachment style
• behavioral beliefs
• internal working models
• intimate relationships

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adelaida Monteoliva

Adelaida Monteoliva, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Psychology, University of Granada (Spain). Her current research focuses on Values, Beliefs, Attitudes and Behavior; Theory of Planned Behavior; Adult Attachment Theory, Close Relationships, and Interpersonal Processes and Environmental Psychology.

J. Miguel A. García–Martínez

J. Miguel Angel Garcia–Martinez, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor (permanent position) at the Department of Social Psychology, University of Granada (Spain). His research interests include Values, Beliefs, Attitudes and Behavior; Theory of Planned Behavior; Adult Attachment Theory, Close Relationships and Interpersonal Processes; and Environmental Psychology and Sex Roles.

Antonia Calvo–Salguero

Antonia Calvo–Salguero, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor (permanent position) at the Department of Social Psychology, University of Granada (Spain). Her research interests include Gender Differences and Work–Family Conflict, Values, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behavior and Environmental Psychology.