The Relationship Between Attachment, Communication And Quality In College Students' Romantic Relationships

Object The current study examined how adult attachment,communication patterns and behavior of college students contribute to their quality of romantic relationship.Specifically,we also examine how these characteristics influences their own and their partner.In addition,we examined whether there is a difference of communication and relationship quality in different styles of individuals and couples.Method We collected data from 456 undergraduate who have been in love,and 135college couples.Data were collected by using the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory(ECR),the Communication Patterns Questionnaire(CPQ),and the scale of relationship perception index for unmarried people(RPUS).In addition,we observed their communication behavior using Marital Interaction Coding System-Global(MICS-G)in 32 couples when they debated the issue which hadn't been resolved.Hypotheses were tested using ANOVA,regression analysis,the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model(APIM)that a data analytic strategy that takes into account the nonindependence of dyadic data,etc.Results(1)The communication patterns and quality of romantic relationships were significantly different in different styles of attachment(p<0.001).There were gender differencesindemand/withdrawandrelationshipsatisfaction(p<0.05).(2)The analysis found significant associationsamong adultattachment,communication patterns and relationship quality(p<0.01).A person's adult attachment influenced his relationship quality mediating by communication patterns,which had a good fit of constructed model(?~2/df=2.87,RMSEA=0.06,NFI=0.98,CFI=0.99,IFI=0.99,GFI=0.99).(3)The different groups of attachment style of combination in couples had significant difference in communication patterns and relationship quality(p<0.05).(4)The model of avoidance,communication patterns and relationship quality had a good fit(?~2/df=1.56,RMSEA=0.06,NFI=0.88,CFI=0.95,IFI=0.95,GFI=0.90),and persons'avoidance influenced their partners'quality(?=-0.21,p=0.01;?=-0.27,p<0.001),but communication patterns weren't(?=0.20,p=0.09;?=0.15,p=0.22).Furthermore the model of anxiety also fitted well(?~2/df=1.51,RMSEA=0.07,NFI=0.85,CFI=0.94,IFI=0.94),but the impact to partner wasn't significant(?=-0.14,p=0.11;?=-0.08,p=0.35;?=0.16,p=0.07;?=0.15,p=0.26).(5)There was a significant difference of negative communication behaviors in couples(t=-3.73,p<0.01),but none of positive behaviors(t=-0.99,p=0.33).(6)There was a negative correlation between a person's negative behavior and relationship quality of own and partner's(p<0.05).Boyfriend's relationship quality was predicted by his attachment avoidance,attachment anxiety,negative behaviors(B=-15.21,B=-6.09,B=-22.94,p<0.01)and girlfriend's attachment avoidance(B=-4.47,p<0.05);girlfriend's relationship quality was predicted by her attachment avoidance,attachment anxiety(B=-16.03,B=-10.91,p<0.01)and boyfriend's attachment anxiety,negative behaviors(B=-7.55,p<0.05,B=-21.95,p<0.01).Conclusion(1)Overall,secure individuals have more constructive communication and high level of relationship quality than insecure individuals.(2)A person's adult attachment influence his relationship quality mediating by communication patterns.(3)Secure group of attachment style of combination in couples have most constructive communication and highest level of relationship quality among four groups.(4)People's attachment avoidance can affect relationship quality of own and partner's.(5)A person's negative behaviors are associated with relationship quality of own and partner's,and women have more negative behaviors when couples conflict.(6)Negative behaviors of men can affect quality of romantic relationship on both sides of lovers.