Walking a security tightrope: relationship-induced changes in attachment security.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and theoretical framework without primary human data or systematic synthesis.
PubMed 29753184 · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.04.016
What was done
This is a narrative review describing the conceptual Attachment Security Enhancement Model (ASEM). It models how specific romantic partner interactions can modify internal working models to transition individuals from attachment insecurity (anxiety or avoidance) toward long-term security.
What was found
No numerical results or statistical findings are reported in the abstract. Conceptually, the model posits that enhancing security requires a dual process: mitigating immediate distress (providing reassurance for attachment anxiety and softening high-stakes interactions for attachment avoidance) while addressing underlying representations (revising negative self-perceptions for anxious individuals and building trust in interdependence for avoidant individuals).
Why it matters
It provides a structured theoretical model that delineates short-term buffering from long-term cognitive change, helping focus empirical research on attachment transitions in adult relationships.
Limits
The abstract reports no empirical data, sample size, or systematic search methodology. The proposed mechanisms represent a theoretical framework that requires longitudinal and experimental validation.
Cited by
- supports Longitudinal studies of couples demonstrate that individuals' attachment orientations can change over time, allowing someone with an avoidant attachment style to become more secure with the right partner.