Elaine Scharfe

Accommodation and Attachment Representations in Young Couples

In a prospective study, we examined the relationship between internal representations of attachment and accommodation. Participants consisted of both members of established young couples (N = 128; mean age = 24.4 years at time 1; mean relationship length = 47 months at time 1). Participants were administered the Peer Attachment Interview and a relationship satisfaction scale twice over 8 months. At time 2, participants completed the Accommodation Scale to assess responses to potentially destructive behavior by romantic partners. Current and previous attachment representations predicted the use of accommodation strategies. In particular, security was associated with the use of constructive accommodation strategies and fearfulness was associated with the use of destructive accommodation strategies. With few exceptions, the pattern of correlations between attachment ratings and accommodation responses was the same after the effects of relationship satisfaction were partialled out. The results suggest that accommodation may be one avenue through which attachment representations contribute to the quality of relationships.

Associations Between Attachment Representations and Health Behaviors in Late Adolescence

In this study, we tested the associations among attachment ratings and health behaviors by relationship status. For individuals in relationships, attachment security was associated positively with health promotion and quality sleep and negatively with risk behaviors; fearfulness was associated positively with risk behaviors. With the exception of sleep behaviors, associations with security and fearfulness were reversed for single participants. Associations between dismissingness and quality of sleep support the proposal that individuals who deny or dismiss their attachment needs may experience physical symptoms of distress that affect their health. Future work exploring the benefits of security when coping with illness or lifestyle change is discussed.

Self- and Partner-Perceptions of Interpersonal Problems and Relationship Functioning:

This study investigated whether self- and partner-perceptions of interpersonal problems predicted relationship functioning. Partners’ understanding of one another’s interpersonal problems, projection of their own problems onto their partners, and positive perceptions of their partners’ problems were assessed. Individuals from 76 couples completed selfreport measures of their own interpersonal problems and of their perceptions of their partners’ interpersonal problems. Relationship functioning was assessed by self-reported satisfaction and by expert ratings of relationship quality. Partner-perceptions more strongly and consistently predicted relationship functioning than did self-perceptions. There was evidence of understanding of interpersonal problems, but degree of understanding did not predict relationship satisfaction or quality. Similarly, there was evidence of projection of level of interpersonal problems, but degree of projection did not predict relationship functioning. In contrast, positive perceptions of interpersonal problems were associated with positive relationship functioning.

Reliability and Validity of an Interview Assessment of Attachment Representations in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents.

Although several researchers have discussed difficulties when assessing attachment representations in clinical samples, fewhave formally assessed reliability and validity of attachment in clinical samples. In this study, reliability and validity of attachment in a clinical sample of adolescents was assessed. Adolescents (50 females and 77 males; average age 13. 6 years) completed questionnaires to assess interpersonal anxiety and avoidance and were administered the Family Attachment Interview and the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children–III. Interviewcodings of attachment representations were reliable; however, findings highlighted possible limitations of categorical assignments. Consistent with previous research, attachment representations were not associated with cognitive abilities and were associated with latent variables of avoidance and anxiety. Discussion of results focuses on the benefit of using continuous ratings of attachment; the usefulness of attachment theory when counseling distressed youth; and the theoretical importance of understanding attachment representations during adolescence.

Maternal Attachment Representations and Initiation and Duration of Breastfeeding

Despite the evidence that there are considerable benefits of breastfeeding, there are still gaps in understanding why many women have difficulties initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. In this prospective longitudinal study, the factors affecting the initiation and duration of breastfeeding were expanded to include attachment representations, which are known to influence health behaviors as well as one’s ability to cope with stressful situations. Participants (n = 460) completed attachment and depression questionnaires during a prenatal clinic appointment, and in the postpartum period, mothers reported on their mood and breastfeeding behaviors. Consistent with attachment theory and previous research, women with attachment approach orientations were more likely to breastfeed, breastfeed longer, and continue breastfeeding when they experienced initial difficulties. The results of this study demonstrate that it is important to look beyond demographics to understand breastfeeding initiation and duration and provide further evidence that attachment representations influence health decisions.