Relations between attachment insecurity and role and outcome expectations for couple therapy

Abstract

With the efficacy of couple therapy no longer in doubt, researchers are seeking to identify client characteristics that explain variability in retention and outcomes. We examined the link between two self‐reported characteristics, attachment insecurity and treatment expectations (for self, partner, and outcome), in a Mechanical Turk sample of 182 adults in committed relationships. A significant canonical correlation accounted for 27 per cent of the variance between the two sets of variables. Interpretation of the structure coefficients indicated that (1) low role expectations for one’s partner were predicted by high attachment anxiety; (2) low expectations for the outcome of couple therapy were predicted by high attachment avoidance coupled with low attachment anxiety; and (3) high self and outcome expectations were predicted by high attachment anxiety when attachment avoidance was low. We discuss the implications of these results for engaging couples with insecure attachment patterns. Practitioner points Expectations for couple therapy are measurable, and related to levels of attachment insecurity Results of this study underscore the importance of clinicians inquiring early on in treatment about what each partner anticipates about the process of couple therapy Clinicians should work gently and creatively with clients with low expectations to help them safely engage in the treatment process Recognising attachment insecurity should be a signal to clinicians to monitor relevant attachment behaviours and related expectations