Moderating Effects of Attachment Orientations on Emotional Interdependence in Romantic Relationships: Using Dynamic Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract The two dimensions of adult attachment orientations, namely, anxiety and avoidance, are known to be associated with how individuals regulate their emotions. However, little is known about how attachment orientations influence emotional interdependence—the associations between one's previous emotions and another's present emotions. This study investigated the moderating effect of attachment orientations on this dynamic interdependent process. Data were drawn from an experience sampling study of 54 cohabiting heterosexual Japanese couples, who reported positive and negative emotions and the presence of partners four times a day for 14 days. Dynamic structural equation modeling showed that emotional interdependence was significant between men's previous positive emotions and women's present positive and negative emotions. Furthermore, women's attachment avoidance was negatively associated with emotional interdependence between their previous negative emotions and men's present negative emotions. These effects remained significant regardless of whether the partners were physically together. Although the limited statistical power restricts the strength of our conclusions, these results provide preliminary support for the role of the deactivating strategy linked to attachment avoidance, suggesting that women with high attachment avoidance suppress their expression of negative emotions that were not adequately perceived and shared by their partners.