Stability and fluctuation in adult attachment style over a 6-year period

Abstract

The present study investigates stability of adult attachment style and concurrent covariation between attachment security and coping and well-being within a 6-year longitudinal-sequential study, with a sample ranging from late adolescence to late adulthood. The findings indicate that attachment style was relatively stable over the six-year period; nevertheless, it was characterized more by fluidity than by stability. Fluctuation in attachment security showed a negative concurrent covariation with defensive coping and depressive symptoms, but a positive covariation with integrative coping and self-perceived well-being. At any point when participants were better copers and reported a better state of well-being (than their own average baseline), they were also more secure (than their own average baseline). An age effect in attachment change was also found. Over time, older individuals became more secure and more dismissing, but less preoccupied than young people.