On the one hand, the assumption that working models function as trait-like representations implies that attachment styles should be fairly resistant to change, reverting back toward initial “set points” even after disruptions (Fraley & Brumbaugh, 2004).
On the other hand, formulations of working models as continually updated based on relational experiences suggest that major events could potentially alter attachment representations permanently if the experiences are impactful enough (Davila & Sargent, 2003).
Key Points
Rationale
The study explains thatattachment theoryproposes mechanisms for both stability and change in attachment styles, but does not clearly specify whether experiences tend to lead to transient or enduring changes (Fraley et al., 2011).
Most prior longitudinal research on life events and adult attachment has simply focused on comparing individuals who did or did not experience a given event at one point in time (Gillath et al., 2016).
This between-persons approach cannot address whether events shape within-person changes in attachment security enduringly versus transiently.
Other studies have examined test-retest correlations in attachment security over time. But high stability estimates can mask enduring changes for subgroups of individuals (Karantzas et al., 2019).
This study uses alongitudinalinterrupted time-series design with a within-person analysis to assess trajectories before and after events, overcoming limitations in previous research.
The design allows for examining both short-term and long-term changes in response to major life events.
Method
Attachment was measured using theECR-RS scaleon four dimensions: global/romantic avoidance/anxiety.
Life events were measured with a checklist of 25 events spanning domains like:
For each event experienced, participants rated whether it was positive/rewarding or stressful.
Sample
The data come from theyourPersonality longitudinal projectthat assessed adult attachment and life experiences approximately monthly over periods from 6 months to 3 years.
The sample included 4,920 participants with 3-24 waves of data.
In terms of demographics, the sample was predominantly white (74%) women (82%). The average age was 35 years. In terms of relationship status at the initial assessment, 39% were single, 35% dating, and 25% married. Education levels ranged from some high school (1%) to graduate degrees (28%).
For the analyses examining change in response to specific life events, subset samples were created for each of the 25 events. These “event-based samples” included participants who had experienced the given event at least once and completed a minimum of 3 assessment waves before and after the event.
The size of these subset samples varied widely across events based on how many participants met those criteria. For example, the subset for the event “I was ill or sick” included 832 participants, while the subset for the event “I retired” only included 14 participants.
This sample was used to analyze general patterns of stability and change in attachment styles over time.
Statistical Analysis
The key analysis involved fitting longitudinal mixed effects models to estimate attachment trajectories before and after events.
Separate models were run for each of the 25 events and for each attachment outcome (global/romantic avoidance/anxiety).
Results
Both immediate and enduring changes in attachment were observed in response to major life events, clarifying important attachment dynamics. But enduring change was less common on average than transient change.
Around half of events were associated with short-term/immediate changes in attachment, but only a quarter were related to enduring changes.
For example, starting a new relationship immediately decreased insecurity but no enduring changes. Having a conflict with a partner increases insecurity immediately and enduringly.
Immediate Changes
Enduring Changes
General Change Patterns
Selection Effects
Insight
The study clarifies the important conceptual and empirical distinctions between short-term versus long-term changes in attachment.
It overcomes significant limitations in the existing literature concerning the impact of life events on attachment dynamics.
The intensive longitudinal within-person interrupted time series design allows stronger causal inferences about the effects of different life events.
Strengths
Limitations
Conclusions
The study reveals how life events can perturb attachment trajectories, sometimes transiently and sometimes enduringly.
More research is needed to understand moderators of change, like event construals and individual differences. But the intensive longitudinal design provides a strong methodological foundation for studying attachment dynamics.
References
Davila, J., & Sargent, E. (2003). The meaning of life (events) predicts changes in attachment security.Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(11), 1383-1395.
Fraley, R. C. (2019). Attachment in adulthood: Recent developments, emerging debates, and future directions.Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 401–422.
Fraley, R. C., & Brumbaugh, C. C. (2004). A dynamical systems approach to conceptualizing and studying stability and change in attachment security. In W. S. Rholes & J. A. Simpson (Eds.),Adult attachment: Theory, research, and clinical implications(pp. 86–132). New York: Guilford Press.
Fraley, R. C., Gillath, O., & Deboeck, P. R. (2021). Do life events lead to enduring changes in adult attachment styles? A naturalistic longitudinal investigation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120(6), 1567–1606.https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000326
Fraley, R. C., Roisman, G. I., & Haltigan, J. D. (2013). The legacy of early experiences in development: Formalizing alternative models of how early experiences are carried forward over time.Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 109–126.https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027
Gillath, O., Karantzas, G., & Fraley, R. C. (2016).Adult attachment: A concise guide to theory and research. Academic Press.
Karantzas, G. C., Deboeck, P. R., Gillath, O., & Fraley, R. C. (2019). Stability and change in attachment styles: A focus on the individual and life events and experiences that moderate change over time.Personality and Social Psychology Review. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
