Attachment styles and mate-retention: Exploring the mediating role of relationship satisfaction

Nascimento, Bruna S.; Little, Anthony C.; Monteiro, Renan P; Hanel, Paul H. P.; Vione, Katia C.

Abstract

This study investigated whether relationship satisfaction mediates the association between attachment styles and mate-retention strategies. Four-hundred and twenty individuals in a heterosexual committed relationship participated in this study (79.7% women; Mage = 23.22, SDage = 8.07). Participants completed questionnaires assessing attachment styles, relationship satisfaction, and mate-retention strategies. The results replicated previous findings by showing that insecure attachment is positively associated with benefitprovisioning and cost-inflicting mate-retention strategies and extended previous research by showing that relationship satisfaction mediates these associations. The present findings confirm evolutionary predictions on romantic relationships that relationship satisfaction may serve as a monitor determining how individuals act to preserve their relationships.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 7, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 2, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Deposit Date: Aug 5, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 8, 2022
• Journal: Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences
• Print ISSN: 2330-2925
• Electronic ISSN: 2330-2933
• Publisher: American Psychological Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 362–370
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/ebs0000272
• Keywords: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology; Social Psychology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9839103
• Publisher URL: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Febs0000272