Attachment Processes and Commitment to Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Begins with an overview of attachment theory and an explanation of how it can account for the experience of commitment in romantic relationships. This is followed by a discussion of the systematic individual differences in attachment style that have been identified in children and adults, and how these differences are related in predictable ways to forms of commitment. Finally, the issue of why people in abusive relationships maintain their feelings of love and commitment is analyzed. The authors argue that attachment theory, compared with other models of commitment, is particularly useful in accounting for this phenomenon. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)