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An Exploratory Longitudinal Dyadic Analysis of Couple Attachment Trajectories.

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Title: An Exploratory Longitudinal Dyadic Analysis of Couple Attachment Trajectories.
Authors: Dansby Olufowote, Rachael A., Bradshaw, Spencer D., Bean, Roy A.
Source: Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal. Sep2025, Vol. 47 Issue 3, p289-304. 16p.
Subjects: Psychotherapy, Medical care use, Marriage, Spouses, Attachment behavior, Sex distribution, Descriptive statistics, Longitudinal method, Pre-tests & post-tests, Race, Research, Psychological stress, Interpersonal relations, Comparative studies, Psychoanalytic theory, Time, European Americans, Mental depression, Poverty
Abstract: The purpose of this exploratory study was to first examine the dyadic trajectory of attachment change over a longer period (i.e., 5 years) than has been examined in previous research; second, to identify a mean trajectory of attachment security for couples with no history of contact with therapy as well as the effect of therapy utilization; and third, to examine couples' attachment trajectories for gender differences. This study included 294 heterosexual married couples (78.6% European American). One-hundred and nine (37.07%) female partners and 121 (46.60%) male partners indicated that they had never utilized therapy prior to the study or during the study (had never utilized therapy at all). Research questions were explored using dyadic longitudinal multilevel modeling with pre-existing data. Results indicate overall that couples in this sample were low on attachment insecurity at the start of data collection and became slightly more insecure over a five-year span at a statistically significant, but likely unnoticeable rate. Couples with no therapy use-ever began the study with low attachment insecurity and remained relatively secure throughout the study. Couples who consistently received therapy before and during the study reported the highest levels of insecure attachment and increased in insecurity at a faster rate in comparison to those who had never attended therapy. Males who received consistent therapy before and during the study also demonstrated significantly greater attachment insecurity than their female partners. Therapy that does not specifically focus on attachment related issues is not likely to alter attachment styles. Clinicians may wish to investigate partners' attachment histories, including complications from trauma or abuse, and tailor treatment to attachment related issues if attachment style change is a treatment goal. Future research could examine attachment change over time for couples of lower income, more diverse racial stratification, and experiencing greater relationship distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: An Exploratory Longitudinal Dyadic Analysis of Couple Attachment Trajectories.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Contemporary+Family+Therapy%3A+An+International+Journal%22">Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal</searchLink>. Sep2025, Vol. 47 Issue 3, p289-304. 16p.
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  Data: The purpose of this exploratory study was to first examine the dyadic trajectory of attachment change over a longer period (i.e., 5 years) than has been examined in previous research; second, to identify a mean trajectory of attachment security for couples with no history of contact with therapy as well as the effect of therapy utilization; and third, to examine couples' attachment trajectories for gender differences. This study included 294 heterosexual married couples (78.6% European American). One-hundred and nine (37.07%) female partners and 121 (46.60%) male partners indicated that they had never utilized therapy prior to the study or during the study (had never utilized therapy at all). Research questions were explored using dyadic longitudinal multilevel modeling with pre-existing data. Results indicate overall that couples in this sample were low on attachment insecurity at the start of data collection and became slightly more insecure over a five-year span at a statistically significant, but likely unnoticeable rate. Couples with no therapy use-ever began the study with low attachment insecurity and remained relatively secure throughout the study. Couples who consistently received therapy before and during the study reported the highest levels of insecure attachment and increased in insecurity at a faster rate in comparison to those who had never attended therapy. Males who received consistent therapy before and during the study also demonstrated significantly greater attachment insecurity than their female partners. Therapy that does not specifically focus on attachment related issues is not likely to alter attachment styles. Clinicians may wish to investigate partners' attachment histories, including complications from trauma or abuse, and tailor treatment to attachment related issues if attachment style change is a treatment goal. Future research could examine attachment change over time for couples of lower income, more diverse racial stratification, and experiencing greater relationship distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – SubjectFull: Marriage
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      – TitleFull: An Exploratory Longitudinal Dyadic Analysis of Couple Attachment Trajectories.
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              Text: Sep2025
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