Psychological Abuse as a Mediator Between Insecure Attachment Orientations and Relationship Satisfaction

Objective: To test the mediating effect of perpetrating psychological abuse between insecure attachment orientations and relationship satisfaction among couples. Method: The mediating effect of psychological abuse between attachment orientation and relationship satisfaction was investigated among 128 couples (N = 256 participants) in enduring relationships using the actor–partner interdependence model. Results: Actor effects indicated men and women higher in anxious attachment perpetrate more psychological abuse, which in turn is linked to their low personal relationship satisfaction. Partner effects revealed two significant paths: Women higher in anxious attachment perpetrated more psychological abuse, which in turn was negatively linked to their partners' relationship satisfaction. Second, the higher the women's attachment anxiety, the more their partners perpetrated psychological abuse, which in turn was negatively linked to partners' relationship satisfaction. Conclusions: Research on attachment and psychological abuse within romantic relationships could benefit from including a dyadic perspective. Although seen as an invisible harm, psychological abuse is a distinct type of abuse. It has a unique role in fulfilling attachment needs, as well as potentially damaging consequences on the individual and the dyad.