Attachment avoidance and the cultural fit hypothesis: A cross-cultural investigation

Abstract

This study examined the impact of attachment avoidance on relationship outcomes. A “cultural fit” hypothesis, which states that individual differences in personality should be associated with relationship problems if they encourage patterns of behavior that are incongruent with cultural norms, was investigated. It was hypothesized that attachment avoidance, a style of relationship in which emotional distance and independence are emphasized, would be more strongly associated with relationship problems in more collectivist societies (Hong Kong and Mexico) than in a more individualist one (the United States), given the greater emphasis placed on closeness and harmony in relationships in collectivist cultures. As predicted, associations between avoidant attachment and relationship problems were stronger in Hong Kong and Mexico than in the United States.

A Question of Fit: Cultural and Individual Differences in Interpersonal Justice Perceptions

“…However, opposing the congruence discussed above, Friedman et al (2010) observed that the motivations behind anxiously attached individuals' preference for close relationships may be 'self-serving'. In other words, anxiously attached individuals may seek relationship closeness as an end in itself to satisfy the need for self-worth (Mikulincer and Shaver, 2007).…”

“…Initial evidence also suggests that attachment orientations may have consistent effects on relationship dynamics in contexts beyond the Western settings traditionally studied. For example, Friedman et al (2010) found that attachment insecurity predicted (romantic) relationship outcomes for individuals in culturally diverse nations (US, China and Mexico). Given this, we expect the basic associations between attachment orientations and interpersonal justice (i.e.…”

“…Collectivists are less calculative in relationships (Hofstede, 2001) and maintain connectedness in relationships even when it is not personally advantageous (Markus and Kitayama, 1991). The apparent 'double-edged' nature of attachment anxiety (Friedman et al, 2010) makes it more difficult to predict interaction effects. On balance, however, we expect that in more collectivistic cultures the appearance of congruence between attachment anxiety and collectivism will weaken the negative association between attachment anxiety and interpersonal justice perceptions:…”

“…Therefore, we propose that the extent to which attachment orientations and interpersonal justice perceptions are related may vary for individuals in different cultures (Friedman et al, 2010).…”

Two Sides of a Story: Mothers’ and Adolescents’ Agreement on Child Disclosure in Immigrant and Native Families

“…Among immigrants, however, the age-related increase in autonomy may be an indication of adaptation to the western individualistic culture represented by peers and school. In the often heritage-oriented collectivist family context, such as among immigrants from the former Soviet Union, being autonomous in adolescence might not meet the cultural expectations of the family (Kagitcibasi 2005;Love and Buriel 2007), and thus a cultural misfit might lead to heightened levels of depressive symptoms (Friedman et al 2010). …”