Examined whether adult attachment was predictive of conflict resolution behaviors and satisfaction in romantic relationships. Both adult attachment dimensions, Avoidance and Anxiety, were predictive of conflict resolution behaviors and relationship satisfaction. Gender differences existed in conflict resolution behaviors, but they were not as…

Defines affect attunement as a process in which two individuals mutually create, match, and share their affective states. Examines whether adolescents perceive affect attunement in others, and whether this perception is related to gender. Results revealed that adolescents do perceive and discriminate different levels of affect attunement in others…

Examined changes over three annual assessments of perceptions of gay and lesbian couples on current levels of attachment, autonomy, and equality in the relationship; the importance of these factors in an ideal relationship; and relationship commitment. Changes in relationship commitment over time were explained by changes in the discrepancy…

Despite revived interest in the study of relationships, the effect of loss of relationships in adulthood has lacked empirical study. To examine the dimensions underlying peoples' conceptions of their attachments in relationships and their reactions to the loss of relationships, 53 college students (31 females, 22 males) completed a questionnaire…

Presents findings from a survey of 784 university students on the influence of ethnicity (black/white) and sex (male/female) on interpersonal intimacy. Reports that many ethnic differences exist--there is more penetration in black friendships, and more breadth of topics on which penetration occurs in black friendships. (KH)

Results challenge the stereotype that whereas women are more concerned with close-knit attachments, men are more eager to maintain personal autonomy. No sex differences were found in attachment values, and women gave significantly more importance than did men to equal sharing and maintaining their personal autonomy. (Author/BL)

Men and women see themselves as contributing different types of resources to relationships. Women feel they contribute particularistic resources--resources directed toward particular persons; men feel they contribute universalistic resources--resources directed toward any occupant of some position. Men and women have accumulated very different…

Two studies used questionnaire and diary methodologies to assess attachment style and gender differences in college students' (n=193) relationships with opposite sex. Found that female avoidants and male anxious/ambivalents were least likely to report engaging in sexual intercourse during course of study, suggesting that attachment style and…

Examines older adolescents (N=167) perceived levels of attachment to parents and peers, along with their self-image. Results indicate that attachment to parents continues to remain strong into late adolescence for both males and females. Females had stronger attachment to peers whereas males had higher levels of self-image. (RJM)

Data from the longitudinal Berkeley Becoming a Family Project were used to evaluate the possibility that husbands' and wives' working models of attachment are related to the quality of their marital relationship. The main issue investigated was that of whether there are connections between working models of childhood attachment relationships and…

This study focuses on the roles of partner-and self-perception in the stability and quality of male-male, female-female, female-male, and male-female interpersonal relationships. The results reveal that, with the exception of male same-sex relationships individuals perceive greater satisfaction from "maximizing" or self-enhancement choices in…

An investigation was conducted with 20 cohabiting dyads (total N=40) to assess the implications of exchange orientation (EO) on dyadic functioning. EO was defined as the degree to which individual members of the dyad seek reciprocity from their partner. Most individuals tend to be quite sensitive to their own work input within the dyad, but are…

Dyadic bonds and adult linkages are examined as examples of adult attachments which are frequently manifested through the relationships among adult children and their aging parents. A pilot study supported the hypothesis that family bonds, both in dyadic affect and in family integration, override separation and distance. (MS)

Provides an evolutionary account of the human affectional system. Warmth is conceptualized as a reward system which evolved to facilitate cohesive family relationships and paternal investment in children. Warmth must be distinguished from security of attachment. Relationships based on warmth can coexist with relationships based on exploitation.…

Gender inevitably influences intimacy. This paper examines how gender differences can inhibit intimate relationships. In the analysis of two cases, it was observed that the researcher unconsciously had a tendency to defer to male perspectives regarding intimacy, and suggests that many female clients may do the same. Researchers have speculated…