Perceptions of Attachment Style and Marital Quality in Midlife Marriage
Keywords
attachment theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, marriage, midlife couples
Abstract
Based on attachment theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) theorizes that attachment styles influence marital quality. Although research supports this relationship among young couples, no research has examined attachment styles and marital quality in midlife marriages. We examined this issue using data from 429 married people between the ages of 40 and 50. Results indicated that insecure attachment styles were associated with marital quality, whereas secure attachment was not. These results suggest that EFT therapists can help midlife couples in distressed relationships move from insecure to secure attachment styles. However, the use of EFT to help these couples who have secure attachment styles is questioned.
Original Publication Citation
Hollist, C.S. and Miller, R.B. (2005), Perceptions of Attachment Style and Marital Quality in Midlife Marriage*. Family Relations, 54: 46-57.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Hollist, Cody S. and Miller, Richard B., "Perceptions of Attachment Style and Marital Quality in Midlife Marriage" (2005). Faculty Publications. 3970.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/3970
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2005-1
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6780
Publisher
Family Relations
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Sociology
Copyright Status
Copyright 2005 by the National Council on Family Relations
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/