Adolescent romantic relationships : attachment and emotion regulation

Abstract

This study investigates adolescent conceptualizations of romance, and explores some preliminary data on relational demographics in order to test the applicability of relevant developmental theories to the New Zealand context. The primary focus however, is an examination of conceptual and statistical associations between attachment, emotion regulation and romantic relationship satisfaction. A sample of 70 females and 35 males aged 14-19 was drawn from 5 Christchurch high schools, as well as a first stage course at the University of Canterbury. Respondents provided basic information about their current or last romantic relationship, and assessed it using the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory (Fletcher, Simpson & Thomas (2000). Collins & Read's (1990) Adult Attachment Scale was used to establish a dimensional attachment orientation, and the use of reappraising and suppressive emotion regulation strategies was measured using Gross & John's (2003) Emotion Regulation Questionnaire.

Results indicate general reliance on emotional suppression, however securely attached girls were more likely to employ reappraising strategies than anxious or avoidant females. Girls' relationship satisfaction was strongly associated with reduced levels of emotional suppression, suggesting a link between attachment style, regulatory efficacy, and relational satisfaction. The strong gender differences apparent from these data are explored within their social context. Methodological and philosophical limitations of this work are discussed, which may be considered in future research on the subject.