Partners’ Attachment Insecurity and Stress Predict Poorer Relationship Functioning During COVID-19 Quarantines

Overall, Nickola C.; Chang, Valerie T.; Pietromonaco, Paula R.; Low, Rachel S. T.; Henderson, Annette M. E.

doi:10.1177/1948550621992973

Cited by 68 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Finally, individual factors which have been shown to increase vulnerability for IPV victimization (e.g., Widom et al, 2014) and are theorized to disrupt relationships (Overall et al, in press; Pietromonaco & Overall, 2020) were accounted for to examine the unique associations between COVID-19 stressors, IPV victimization, health, and health behaviors. Specifically, we assessed attachment insecurity, adverse childhood experiences, and (lower) pre-COVID-19 socioeconomic status (SES).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining associations between COVID-19 stressors, intimate partner violence, health, and health behaviors

Gresham

Peters

Karantzas

et al. 2021

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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The economic, social, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to increase the occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. IPV victimization may, in turn, contribute to physical and mental health, substance use, and social distancing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of the current study was to understand the extent to which 1) COVID-19 stressors are associated with IPV victimization and 2) IPV victimization is associated with health and health behaviors. Participants ( N = 1,813) completed an online survey between May 15 and 28, 2020 that assessed COVID-19 stressors (financial anxiety, social disconnection, health anxiety, COVID-19-specific stress), IPV victimization, physical and mental health, substance use, and movement outside of the home. Structural equation modeling indicated that greater COVID-19-related stressors were associated with greater IPV victimization during the pandemic, even after controlling for enduring vulnerabilities associated with IPV victimization. Additionally, greater IPV victimization during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with higher levels of substance use and movement outside of the home, but not poorer physical and mental health. COVID-19 stressors may have detrimental relationship effects and health implications, underscoring the need for increased IPV intervention and support services during the pandemic. Findings from the current work provide preliminary correlational evidence for a theoretical model centered on IPV victimization, rather than perpetration.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining associations between COVID-19 stressors, intimate partner violence, health, and health behaviors

Gresham

Peters

Karantzas

et al. 2021

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, during the pandemic, their partner may not be able to provide reassurance because they themselves may be feeling worried about the pandemic and may not have resources themselves. Recent research has also found that anxiously attached individuals tend to act in punitive ways toward their partners which can create conflict and damage closeness ( Overall et al, 2021 ). This may have undermined the caregiving efforts from partners during the pandemic thus rendering the anxiously attached individuals more vulnerable to distress during the pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attachment anxiety predicts worse mental health outcomes during COVID-19: Evidence from two studies

Vowels

Carnelley

Stanton

2022

Personality and Individual Differences

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COVID-19 has resulted in a mental health crisis across the globe. Understanding factors that may have increased individuals' risk of poor mental health outcomes is imperative. Individual differences in attachment styles have been shown to predict poorer mental health outcomes and insecure individuals struggle to cope with stressful situations. Therefore, we extended past research by examining whether higher attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) predicted worse mental health over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study 1 examined mood and mood fluctuations daily over a week in the beginning of lockdown and depression and anxiety weekly over a five-week period ( n = 200). Study 2 examined depression and anxiety before and during the pandemic ( n = 100 couples). As predicted, individuals higher (vs. lower) in attachment anxiety, but not avoidance, reported greater depression and anxiety during the pandemic in both studies. Individuals lower in attachment anxiety experienced an improvement in mental health over time in Study 1 suggesting that more secure individuals may recover more quickly from the initial change in circumstances. Attachment styles did not significantly predict mood or mood fluctuations. Attachment anxiety is likely to be a risk factor for poor mental health outcomes during COVID-19.

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“…Previous studies, which focused mainly on intimate relationships during the lockdown, indicated that high-stress levels were associated with a decline in intimate relationships [ 47 ]. Moreover, the attachment style of partners predicts interpersonal problems and the efficacy of problem-solving strategies [ 48 ]. Other studies suggested that working at home can exacerbate familial conflict [ 49 ] and that living with others contributed to increased psychological distress [ 50 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Italian University Students’ Mental Health: Changes across the Waves

Consiglio

Merola

Pascucci

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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To reduce the spread of Covid-19, the Italian government imposed a rigid lockdown and, for a whole year, continued to declare stringent rules to curb the community spread. This study provides an overview of university students’ symptomatology and help-seeking behaviour before and during the pandemic. It aims to evaluate the impact of the different phases of the pandemic on students’ mental health. We collected data in four-time points between March 2019 and March 2021. A total of 454 students (F = 85; M = 15) were included in the study. Students answered a socio-demographic and a standardized questionnaire (i.e., SCL-90-R) to evaluate a broad range of symptomatology. The results suggest that students experienced moderate to severe levels of depressive, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety symptomatology. About 14% of the sample met the criteria for at least one mental health disorder, but most were not receiving mental health care. During the lockdown, compared with other phases, female students reported worse symptoms in the obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism dimensions. The increasing symptomatology disappeared after the lifting of the lockdown. The results showed no difference in the male groups. Preventive and support strategies should be improved in the university context.

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Partners’ Attachment Insecurity and Stress Predict Poorer Relationship Functioning During COVID-19 Quarantines

Cited by 68 publications

References 62 publications

Examining associations between COVID-19 stressors, intimate partner violence, health, and health behaviors

Examining associations between COVID-19 stressors, intimate partner violence, health, and health behaviors

Attachment anxiety predicts worse mental health outcomes during COVID-19: Evidence from two studies

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Italian University Students’ Mental Health: Changes across the Waves

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