Relationship-specific adult attachment, subjective well-being, and job satisfaction: A multitrait–multirelationship approach

From the perspective of organizational psychology, we examine the relationship-specific effects of adult attachment on subjective well-being (SWB) and job satisfaction, highlighting the potential role of attachment theory in the dispositional approach to SWB and job satisfaction. Importantly, we draw distinctions between working models of attachment to the mother, father, romantic partner, and friend (distinct relationship domains). Using three datasets, we first establish that adult attachment measurement reflects a substantial portion of relationship specific variance (mother, father, partner, and friend relationship factors), and a much smaller portion of attachment domain variance (anxiety and avoidance). Second, we demonstrate that relationship-specific attachment to a romantic partner can uniquely predict SWB and job satisfaction, while controlling for overall attachment (i.e., confirming specific validity of partner attachment as an antecedent of SWB and job satisfaction). Results highlight the nuanced role of attachment style in job and life satisfaction, by emphasizing that the object of attachment (quality of attachment to a romantic partner in particular) begets unique benefits for SWB and in turn, job satisfaction. • Adult attachment variance is mostly relationship-specific (mother, father, partner, friend). • Romantic partner attachment uniquely predicts subjective well-being and job satisfaction. • SWB and partner attachment are central predictors in dispositional models of job satisfaction.