Research shows that attachment avoidance is associated with low levels of intimacy and emotional involvement in close relationships, suppression of painful thoughts, repression of negative memories, lack of cognitive accessibility to negative self-representations, projection of negative self-traits onto others, failure to acknowledge negative emotions, and denial of basic fears (e.g., Dozier & Kobak, 1992; Fraley & Shaver, 1997; Mikulincer, 1995; Mikulincer, Florian, & Tolmacz, 1990; Mikulincer & Horesh, 1999; Mikulincer & Orbach, 1995). Recent findings indicate that high scores on attachment avoidance are associated with lack of mental access to attachmentrelated worries (Mikulincer et al., 2000) and deactivation of representations of attachment figures following reminders of separation (Mikulincer, Gillath, & Shaver, 2002).
Whereas therapeutic work with anxiously attached clients should be directed at their sense of helplessness and fear of being alone and should strengthen their self-regulatory skills, therapeutic work with avoidant clients should be directed at their construal of proximity as a nonreward/punishment situation and at restoring contact with their emotions.
more avoidantly attached adolescents developed more depressive symptoms via decreased focusing on positive affect.
a recent study found that more avoidantly attached adolescents experienced less trait gratitude (i.e., the positive feeling of appreciation for what one receives), due to which they were more vulnerable to develop depressive symptoms (Scott et al., 2020).
Do You See What I See? Actor and Partner Attachment Shape Biased Perceptions of Partners
Perceptions of conflict and support in romantic relationships: the role of attachment anxiety
Attachment insecurity, biased perceptions of romantic partners' negative emotions, and hostile relationship behavior
Attachment Insecurity and the Regulation of Power and Dependence in Intimate Relationships