Interpersonal attachment: Experiencing, expressing, and coping with stress

From a sample of 1,157 prescreened individuals, a sample of 193 participants with clearly identifiable attachment styles completed a stress narrative, a measure of coping styles, and a measure of emotional distress. Results of the 4 (attachment style: secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing) x 2 (gender) study provided general support for predictions. Compared with secure attachment, for example, preoccupied attachment was associated with higher levels of intrusive psychological symptoms and higher levels of overall psychological distress, although specific predictions concerning characteristic styles of coping received mixed support. The nature and Limitations of these findings are discussed in relation to contemporary issues in attachment theory, research, and measurement.