Longitudinal relationships between insecure attachment and romantic relationship quality and stability in emerging adults: the mediating role of perceived conflict in daily life

Initiating a romantic relationship is an important developmental task in emerging adulthood. Previous research has shown a negative association between insecure attachment (such as anxious and avoidant attachment) and relationship quality/stability. However, few studies have examined the mechanism involved between them. The current study investigated the relationship between anxious/avoidant attachment and daily romantic relationship quality using an ambulatory assessment, the relationship between anxious and avoidant attachment and overall romantic relationship quality/stability using a longitudinal survey, and the mediating effect of perceived conflict between the above relationship. A total of 164 emerging adults were recruited to complete the study. Anxious/avoidant attachment were measured at baseline. Daily perceived conflict and daily relationship quality were measured by ambulatory assessment. Overall relationship quality and stability were measured at the longitudinal survey. For the ambulatory assessment, avoidant attachment could predict romantic quality in daily life whereas anxious attachment did not predict daily relationship quality, and perceived conflict mediated above relationship. For the longitudinal survey, anxious/avoidant attachment can predict overall relationship quality. However, the mediating role of overall perceived conflict was not significant. Anxious/avoidant attachment could predict lower relationship stability, and overall perceived conflict mediated above relationship. The findings indicated that insecure attachment had direct negative associations with romantic relationship quality/stability during emerging adulthood. Perceived conflict as a mechanism is more likely to work dynamically.