Attachment, relationship maintenance, and stress in long distance and geographically close romantic relationships

This study investigated attachment, maintenance behaviors, and stress in long distance (LDR) and geographically close (GCR) romantic relationships. Data was analyzed from participants (N = 473) who were in a serious romantic relationship and who completed two attachment measures, two maintenance behaviors measures, and a perceived global stress measure. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed significant attachment style and significant LDR/GCR differences for some maintenance behaviors. Two hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that different attachment and maintenance behaviors contributed uniquely to perceived global stress in LDRs and in GCRs. Research and counseling implications are briefly discussed.