The Mutual Influence of Attachment and Caregiving to Self-Improvement in Romantic Relationship

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine mutual influences on self-improvement in romantic relationships. On the basis of attachment theory, for participants in romantic relationships, we assessed individuals' attachment and caregiving tendencies and conducted an analysis based on the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). The results indicated an actor-effect of attachment avoidance on individuals' own self-improvement and some partner-effects on their attachment and caregiving. In addition, the results indicated an interaction effect between women's attachment avoidance and men's caregiving hyperactivation to women's self-improvement. Therefore, within romantic relationships, it can be concluded that self-improvement is mutually influenced by attachment and caregiving tendencies.