Attachment orientation and reactions to anxiety expression in close relationships

This study examined perceptions, interpretations, and emotional reactions to a close partner's anxiety expression as mediators for the association between attachment orientation and caregiving effectiveness. One member of married or dating couples was exposed to a stressor and unobtrusively observed while interacting with his or her partner. Results revealed that anxious attachment was related to higher perceptions of partners' anxiety expression, feeling more personal distress, but not less effective caregiving. Avoidant attachment was related to lower perceptions of partners' anxiety expression and feeling more anger. Negative interpretations of partners' anxiety mediated the association between avoidant attachment and less effective caregiving. These findings suggest that attachment orientation is related to cognitive and emotional processes important for effective caregiving behavior.