Attachment Patterns and their Relationship with Relationship Crisis Management during the Engagement Period in Jordan

Khawla Mahmoud  Al-Arman; Abdallah Salem Al-Mahaireh

doi:10.35516/edu.v51i2.5521

Authors

Khawla Mahmoud Al-Arman Department of Counseling and Special Education, School of Educational Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1133-7340
Abdallah Salem Al-Mahaireh Department of Counseling and Special Education, School of Educational Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2579-2783

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/edu.v51i2.5521

Keywords:

Attachment patterns, relationship crisis management between partners, engagement period

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between attachment patterns and the management of relationship crisis between partners during the engagement period in Jordan.

Methods: The study employed a descriptive correlational approach. Two scales were used: the Attachment Patterns Scale and the Relationship Crisis Management Scale. The study sample consisted of a convenient sample of 412 engaged individuals in Jordan.

Results: The results revealed that the most prevalent attachment pattern among engaged individuals during the engagement period was the secure attachment pattern, with a percentage of 92.7%. The avoidant attachment pattern followed at a percentage of 3.9%, while the least common pattern was the anxious attachment pattern at 3.4%. Furthermore, the results also showed a high level of relationship crisis management among engaged individuals during the engagement period. A positive linear relationship was found between secure attachment style and relationship crisis management, while an inverse relationship was observed between anxious and avoidant attachment patterns and relationship crisis management between partners.

Conclusions: The results underscore the importance of considering attachment patterns and relationship crisis management during the engagement period in Jordan and reflect the need for developing educational and therapeutic plans to comprehend attachment patterns and their role in influencing crisis management processes, to arrive at effective solutions for facing and managing crises.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ainsworth, M. S. (1989). Attachments Beyond Infancy. American Psychologist, 44(4), 709-716.

Appel, I., & Shulman, Sh. (2015). The role of romantic attraction and conflict resolution in predicting shorter and longer relationship maintenance among adolescents. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(3), 777-782

Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: a test of a four-category model. Journal of personality and social psychology, 61(2), 226-244

Benjamin, D. (2004). Parental Alienation in Light of Attachment Theory: Consideration of the Broader Implications for Child Development, Clinical Practice and Forensic Process. Journal of Child Custody, 1(4), 49-75.

Bowlby, J. (1973): Attachment and Loss Separation (2nd ed.). London: Hogarth

Civilotti, C.,Dennis, J. L.Maran, D. A., & Margola, D. (2021). When Love Just Ends: An Investigation of the Relationship Between Dysfunctional Behaviors, Attachment Styles, Gender, and Education Shortly After a Relationship Dissolution. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1-14.

Costa, C., & Mosmann, C. (2020). Aspects of the marital relationship that characterize secure and insecure attachment in men and women. Scielo Scientific Electronic Library Online, 37, 1-13.

Crugnola, R. C.,Bottini, MPreti, E., & Lerardi, E. (2021). Psychological distress and attachment styles in emerging adult students attending and not attending a University Counselling Service. Health Psychology Open, 8(1),1-9

Delatorre, M. Z., & Wagner, A. (2018). Marital Conflict Management of Married Men and Women. Scielo Scientific Electronic Library Online, 23 (2), 229-240

Feeney, J. A. (2011). Adult attachment and conflict behavior: Delineating the links. Acta De Invectigacion Psicologica, 1(2), 233-253.

Fraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R. (2000). Adult Romantic Attachment: Theoretical Developments, Emerging Controversies, and Unanswered Questions. Review of General Psychology, 4(2), 132-154.

Guerrero, L.K. (1998). Attachment-style differences in the experience and expression of romantic jealousy. Personal Relationships, 5(3), 273- 291.

Javdan, M., Bahrampour, T., & Dehghani, M. (2023). The Role of Family Relationships and Conflict Resolution Styles in Marital Burnout of Couples Seeking a Divorce. Journal of Family Relations Studies, 3 (8), 32-39

Lewis, M., Feiring, C., & Rosenthal ,S. (2000). Attachment over time. Child Development, 71(3), 707-720.

Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P.R.., & Pereg, D. (2003). Attachment theory and affect regulation: The dynamics, development, and cognitive consequences of attachment-related strategies. Motivation and Emotion, 27 (2), 77–102.

Mikulincer, M.,. & Shaver, Ph. (2005)..Mental representations of attachment security: Theoretic al foundation for a Positive social psychology. New york: Guilford press.

Millikin, J. (2000). Resolving attachment injuries in couples using emotionally focused therapy: A process study. Unpublished DissertationPhD. TheFaculty of the Virginia، Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg، Virginia

Moghadasi, M., & Mohammadipour, M. (2016). The effectiveness of communication skills and effective dialogue on marital satisfaction and commitment couples. Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, 8(4), 2095-2109

Moosa, E., & Shaheen, A. & Kumar, H. (2023). Childhood Emotional Abuse And Insecure Adult Attachment In Married Adults, Journal of Positive School Psychology, 7(6), 530-539

Ortega, E. G., Baz, B. O., Molina, I. V. & Martín, A. F. (2020). Adult attachment style combination, conflict resolution and relationship quality among young-adult couples. TERAPIA PSICOLOGICA, 38(3), 303-316

Overall,,N., Pietromonaco, P., & Simpson, J. (2022). Buffering and spillover of adult attachment insecurity in couple and family relationship. Nature reviews psychology, 1, 101-111.

Riggs, S. A. (2019). Childhood emotional abuse and the attachment. system across the life cycle: What theory and research tell us. In The Effect of Childhood Emotional Maltreatment on Later Intimate Relationships. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 19, 5-51.

Shaver, Ph., & Mikulincer, M. (2002). Attachment Related Psychodynamics. Journal of attachment and human development, 4(2), 133-161.

Simpson, J., & Rholes, S. (2017) Adult attachment, stress, and romantic relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 19-24.

Talebi, F., Yagubi, A., Mohagegi, H., Abdolmohammadi, K., Torkaman, M., & Malekirad, A. A. (2014). The relationship between attachment styles and problem-solving skills with marital conflict. Indian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences,4(3), 544-549