Adult Attachment and Dyadic Adjustment: The Mediating Role of Shame

ABSTRACT

Although it is widely recognized that adult attachment is associated with romantic relationship quality, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of external and internal shame on the association between attachment and dyadic adjustment. A battery of self-report measures was completed by 228 Portuguese participants and a serial multiple mediation model was tested. Data showed that, in the population under study, attachment dimensions were associated with worse dyadic adjustment through high external and internal shame. Internal shame alone also mediated the association between attachment avoidance and dyadic adjustment. This study identifies a new putative mechanism linking adult attachment and intimate relationship functioning that may be targeted in couples therapy to promote a better dyadic adjustment and relationship functioning.

KEYWORDS:

• attachment
• dyadic adjustment
• external shame
• internal shame
• shame-proneness

Author Notes

Teresa C. Martins is a researcher at the Portuguese Institute for Oncology at Coimbra, and the Centres for Neurosciences and Cell Biology and for Cognitive–Behavioral Research of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Her current research interests are interpersonal relationships, psycho-oncology and neuropsychology.

Maria Cristina Canavarro is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

Helena Moreira is a researcher at the Cognitive–Behavioral Research of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Her current research interests include attachment, parenting, mindful parenting, and pediatric psychology.