A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

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




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

PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

Publishing placeTHOUSAND OAKS

Publication year2025

JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Journal name in sourcePERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN

Journal acronymPERS SOC PSYCHOL B

Number of pages17

ISSN0146-1672

eISSN1552-7433

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251333472

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

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


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.


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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.


Last updated on 2025-25-06 at 15:28