Different effects of anxiety and avoidance dimensions of attachment on interpersonal trust: A multilevel meta-analysis

Abstract

Interpersonal trust is significant in the development of society. Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding the trust-building process. Although many studies have investigated the association between attachment and interpersonal trust, controversy still exists regarding their correlation, and the separate effects of attachment anxiety and avoidance on interpersonal trust. This meta-analysis summarized the combined relationship between both attachment dimensions and interpersonal trust in adults by including 53 articles reporting 149 effect sizes (N = 45,166). The results revealed that both attachment dimensions were negatively, concurrently, and longitudinally associated with interpersonal trust. Further, subgroup analyses indicated that attachment avoidance was more strongly related to interpersonal trust than attachment anxiety (F(1,291) = 459.568, p < .001). The effect sizes varied across cultures, trust figures, and sample sizes. The effect sizes between attachment anxiety (r=-.038) and attachment avoidance (r=-.15) on interpersonal trust in Chinese studies were both lower than in Western studies. Our results highlight the importance of attachment security in interpersonal relationships.

Trust in relationships: a preliminary investigation of the influence of parental divorce, breakup experiences, adult attachment style, and close relationship beliefs on dyadic trust

“…Correlation and regression analysis results showed that both anxious and avoidant attachment styles were negatively related to dyadic trust, which is in line with earlier results by Mikulincer (1998), Kim et al (2017), and (Bao et al, 2022). The negative effect of anxious and avoidant attachment styles on trust is understandable: a person with an anxious attachment style does not trust that the relationship continues, while a person with an avoidant attachment style keeps a distance from the romantic partner and, thus, does not let the interpersonal trust develop.…”

“…Similarly, our findings among Turkish students highlighted the significance of relationship beliefs (intimacy, individuality, passion, and external factors) and attachment styles (avoidant, secure) in dyadic trust (Campbell and Stanton, 2019). A recent meta-analysis of 53 articles revealed that both anxious and avoidant attachment dimensions were negatively, concurrently, and longitudinally associated with interpersonal trust (Bao et al, 2022). While a person's own attachment style seems to influence the trust felt in relationships, the partner's attachment style can have an impact on trust, too.…”

Characteristics of implicit schemas in patients with major depressive disorder

“… 19 These schemas then cause individuals to form varying adult attachment styles in intimate relationships by influencing the organisation and processing of information. 20 To be more specific, attachment anxiety develops when patients with MDD have a negative self-schema such as ‘I am unlovable’, and attachment avoidance develops when they have a negative other-schema such as ‘others are caustic’. 21 The attachment style then guides different aspects of the individual’s interpersonal patterns, including excessive reassurance-seeking, negative feedback-seeking, sensitivity to rejection from others, lack of interpersonal trust and so on.…”

“…According to Bowlby’s attachment theory, perceptions and subjective experiences about oneself and others—the self-schema and other-schema—are shaped during interpersonal interactions with caregivers at a young age 19. These schemas then cause individuals to form varying adult attachment styles in intimate relationships by influencing the organisation and processing of information 20. To be more specific, attachment anxiety develops when patients with MDD have a negative self-schema such as ‘I am unlovable’, and attachment avoidance develops when they have a negative other-schema such as ‘others are caustic’ 21.…”