Date of Award:

12-2014

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Family, Consumer, and Human Development

Committee Chair(s)

W. David Robinson

Committee

W. David Robinson

Committee

Ryan Seedall

Committee

Kay Bradford

Abstract

Advances in technology have opened the door for increased understanding to the physiological changes that influence and are influenced by conflict. The objective of this research was to use these advances in technology to better understand the relationship between attachment and physiological reactivity during conflict, as well as during recovery from couple conflict. Skin conductance equipment was used to measure 10 couples (n = 20) physiological arousal while discussing an area of conflict, and during a recovery section which included a relationship distraction task and discussion. Five multiple regressions were used to analyze physiological reactivity during and after conflict with attachment anxiety and avoidance scores. The results from the multiple regressions were that those higher in attachment anxiety were significantly associated with higher levels of physiological arousal during the conflict and recovery tasks. The association between attachment avoidance and physiological arousal was not found to be significant. The research findings are significant in that they are the first to link attachment anxiety to physiological arousal and recovery using skin conductance. The findings also demonstrate the importance of assessing attachment style when working with couples in a clinical setting, as well as using biofeedback tools to help measure and regulate arousal. Future research needs to continue to build upon attachment and physiological arousal to conflict, while also addressing recovery from conflict.

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