| Research has demonstrated a relationship between mindfulness and positive outcomes of relationships as well as between mindfulness and attachment security. Recently, researchers have introduced the consideration of the role of attachment security into research on mindfulness in relationships. Building upon this research, the primary objective of the current study was to examine the potential interaction between mindfulness and attachment security in predicting responses to relationship conflict (i.e., conflict style) and, secondarily, relationship satisfaction. In so doing, this study aimed to deepen the understanding of the link between mindfulness and attachment security, particularly the influence mindfulness has on attachment system activation, by considering variables likely to trigger activation and evoke attachment behaviors (e.g., conflict). This was the first study to simultaneously examine these variables and the second to consider attachment security and mindfulness concurrently in the study of romantic relationships.;Three-hundred individuals currently involved in a romantic relationship participated. The mean age was 38 years (range = 18–89 years) and average relationship length was 11 years (range = 6 months to 61 years). Participants were recruited through community organizations and word of mouth. The sample was one-quarter people of color and included individuals of homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual orientations as well as a diversity of relationship configurations. Findings showed that attachment security and mindfulness were independently associated with relationship satisfaction; however, when examined together, attachment security was a stronger predictor of relationship satisfaction than mindfulness. Analyses did not support the mediation of attachment security and relationship satisfaction by responses to conflict, however, attachment security and responses to conflict were each independently strong predictors of relationship satisfaction. Results also showed that both attachment security and mindfulness were independently associated with responses to conflict; however, they did not interact to predict responses to conflict. Finally, the current study showed, for the first time, an association between mindfulness and adaptive responses to conflict. |
