Influences of Attachment on Perceptions and Reactions to Partner Drinking

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between alcohol consumption within romantic relationships and the perception of a partner’s drinking problem, considering attachment. Attachment theory identifies three primary attachment styles: secure, anxious, and avoidant. It was hypothesized that the number of times a partner got drunk in the last year would be positively associated with the person’s perception of a drinking problem and that these perceptions and reactions would vary according to the individual's attachment orientation. Specifically, it was anticipated that those who are more anxiously attached would be more sensitive to their partner's drinking behaviors, perceiving them more negatively and engaging in more punitive actions, whereas avoidantly attached individuals would minimize the significance of their partner's drinking issues. 754 participants were surveyed via Qualtrics to assess frequency of partner drinking, concern about partner drinking, punishment for partner drinking, reward for partner sobriety, and attachment levels. Results showed that frequency of a partner’s drinking was related to concern about partner drinking, and that association was stronger for those with more anxious and avoidant orientations. Additionally, partner drinking was associated with more punishment behaviors for those with higher levels of anxious attachment, as well as those with higher levels of avoidant attachment. However, partner drinking was not related to reward for non-drinking based on attachment. Lastly, the perception of a partner’s drinking mediated the relationship between perceived partner drinking and punishment, with the indirect effect being stronger for higher levels of insecure attachment. Building upon these findings, future research should explore interventions tailored to different attachment orientations to better address the negative impacts of alcohol consumption within romantic relationships.