Attachment style differences in relational maintenance and conflict behaviors: Friends' perceptions

Abstract

This study explores how attachment style affects individuals’ relationship maintenance behaviors and conflict management behaviors as evaluated by their close friend. Findings revealed that friends reported greater relationship satisfaction, greater use of prosocial maintenance strategies, and more integrating and compromising conflict behavior for securely attached individuals as compared to preoccupieds, dismissives, and fearfuls. Findings are discussed in terms of the need to consider friendship‐specific relational maintenance behaviors, the conceptual link between attachment styles and conflict styles, and the implications for friendships.