Attachment anxiety, self-disclosure, and authenticity: the moderating role of interdependence

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Date

2018

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University of New Brunswick

Abstract

The current study investigated whether interdependence moderates the influence of attachment anxiety on pro-relational behaviours (i.e., self-disclosure & authenticity) across romantic and platonic relationships. It was anticipated that more anxiously attached individuals, would use fewer pro-relational behaviours in highly interdependent relationships (e.g., romantic) to preclude the possibility of damaging this vital bond. In less interdependent contexts (e.g., platonic), however, it was hypothesized that individuals reporting greater attachment anxiety would use more pro-relational behaviours as the costs of rejection are reduced. Consistent with expectations, results revealed a positive relationship between attachment anxiety and self-disclosure at low-levels of interdependence. However, attachment anxiety was not significantly associated with pro-relational behaviours at higher levels of interdependence. Findings suggest that individuals with greater attachment anxiety may be less fearful of interdependence than anticipated and may actually seek greater closeness when interdependence is low.

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