The Relationship Between Perceived Stress, Adult Attachment, and Dyadic Coping in Couples with Pregnancy: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model

Abstract

Purpose: The current study aims to analyze the relationships between perceived stress, adult attachment (attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety), and dyadic coping among Chinese couples during pregnancy. Additionally, it seeks to explore the mediating effects of adult attachment on these relationships. Methods: A total of 701 heterosexual pregnant couples participated in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted at three tertiary hospitals in central and western China from September 2023 to July 2024. Participants’ mean age was 29.56±4.15 years for pregnant women and 31.11±4.33 years for their partners. They completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Chinese Short Version. The actor-partner interdependence mediation model was employed to analyze the data derived from the dyadic relationships. Results: The dyadic coping scores were recorded as 117.42±16.63 for pregnant women and 117.75±16.12 for their partners. The analysis revealed that individuals’ perceived stress was both directly and indirectly associated with their dyadic coping, as a mediator role of adult attachment (attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety). Furthermore, partners’ attachment avoidance was identified as a complete mediator of the partner effect. Partners’ attachment anxiety played a complete partner mediating role in the relationship between perceived stress on dyadic coping for pregnant women and their partners. Conclusion: The present study examined the relationship between perceived stress, adult attachment (attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety), and dyadic coping. The findings indicate that interventions should consider the couple as a unit and take into account their adult attachment during pregnancy. Healthcare professionals may aim to reduce adult attachment insecurity in pregnant couples and enhance their dyadic coping abilities to improve psychological well-being.