Temporal Dynamics Between State Attachment Security, Avoidance, and Anxiety: Insights into Everyday Attachment System Functioning - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Temporal Dynamics Between State Attachment Security, Avoidance, and Anxiety: Insights into Everyday Attachment System Functioning

Authors: Tammilehto, Jaakko; Kaurin, Aleksandra; Kuppens, Peter; Bosmans, Guy; Vänskä, Mervi; Flykt, Marjo; Peltonen, Kirsi; Lindblom, Jallu

Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

Publishing place: THOUSAND OAKS

Publication year: 2025

Journal: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Journal name in source: PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN

Journal acronym: PERS SOC PSYCHOL B

Number of pages: 17

ISSN: 0146-1672

eISSN: 1552-7433

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251333472

Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access

Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251333472

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/498580346

Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY

Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF

Abstract

The attachment system regulates behavior to maintain security and cope with insecurities. Although this necessitates the coordination of different attachment states, research on state-level dynamics is scarce. We used data from two ecological momentary assessment studies (Ns = 122 and 127) to examine cross-lagged effects between state attachment security, avoidance, and anxiety. We hypothesized dampening effects between the secure and insecure states. Furthermore, we expected trait-level attachment to moderate the state-level dynamics. Attachment states were assessed seven or ten times daily over a week. Trait attachment was assessed using the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised. Results showed that state security predicted decreased state avoidance and anxiety. Evidence also emerged for state avoidance predicting decreased security. Trait attachment showed no expected moderation effects on the state-level dynamics. Our study underscores the predominance of security over insecurities, suggesting that the functioning of the everyday attachment system centers on fluctuations in the sense of security.

Keywords:

dynamic structural equation model, ecological momentary assessment, experience sampling method, state attachment

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Funding information in the publication:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by a grant from the Wihuri Foundation awarded to Jallu Lindblom and a grant from the Finnish Cultural Foundation awarded to Jaakko Tammilehto.