| Romantic relationships are important as they influence physical health, general happiness, and
overall well-being. However, they are not immune to disagreements. Conflicts can be a common
occurrence in relationships, and poor conflict management can have negative consequences for
relationship satisfaction, mental health, and relationship longevity. Attachment theory provides a
lens through which to examine interpersonal functioning, and research has suggested that severe
attachment disruptions such as interpersonal trauma may negatively influence relational
functioning. Both interpersonal trauma exposure and insecure attachment style have been
independently linked with impairments in interpersonal functioning, decreased romantic
relationship satisfaction, and poor conflict management. However, there is little research that
simultaneously examines how trauma and attachment are associated with relationship conflict
management. The present study aimed to address this knowledge gap and expand upon current
literature by simultaneously assessing these associations among a sample of college students in
established romantic relationships (N = 365) using structural equation modeling. Measurement of
a latent factor of insecure attachment was supported, and insecure attachment was significantly
positively associated with interpersonal trauma. Interpersonal trauma did not predict conflict
management strategies in the full model; however, insecure attachment was significantly
negatively associated with compromise and positively associated with interactional reactivity,
domination, submission, and separation in the modified model. These associations held while
controlling for gender, relationship length, and religion. The results of this study contribute to our knowledge of relational difficulties and trauma among college students and have important
implications for treatment for individuals with conflict management concerns.
Keywords: romantic relationships, interpersonal trauma, insecure attachment, conflict,
conflict management |