Proposal Research: Section 2

Celine Hijazeen

Point Loma Nazarene University

PSY 6090: Research Methodology

Dr. Bishop

Aug 3, 2024
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Proposal Research: Section 2
Chapter 2: Literature Review

Introduction

Over the last ten years, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning)

individuals have gained better visibility in the United States. However, this population remains to

be an under-researched group, especially as they grow older (Fredriksen-Goldsen & Kim, 2017).

The limited research on same-sex romantic attachment may come from the reasonable

assumption that attachment behaviors function similarly among different types of couples

(Feeney, 2008). Marital satisfaction is one of the most profound and fundamental human

pleasures and should be recognized within the family environment as it is influenced by family

lifestyle and attachment style (Mohammadi et al., 2016). Several studies by Mikulincer & Shaver

(2010) started to examine romantic attachments by introducing a two-dimensional model,

including avoidance associated with low attachment needs and the individual’s discomfort with

the connection. Meanwhile, anxiety is associated with hyper-fixation of attachment needs

(Mikulincer & Shaver, 2010).

A study by Mohr, J. J., Silverman, D., Fassinger, R. E (2013) expanded on existing

research on attachment and relationship dynamics from heterosexual couples to a same-sex

couple sample. Consistent with previous research, results showed that both partners' attachment

anxiety and avoidance are linked to less positive relationship evaluations and experiences (Mohr

et al., 2013). In a meta-analysis qualitative study, it was found that anxious and avoidant

attachment styles have a negative impact on the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects of

romantic relationships. Avoidance was found to have a higher impact on overall satisfaction and

feelings of connection and support. Whereas anxiety was found to have a stronger level of

general conflicts within relationships (Li & Chan, 2012). While the LGBTQ community has
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gained visibility and some research has been conducted regarding this population, it is still

under-researched compared to heterosexual populations. Consequently, examining how

attachment styles shape couple interactions is essential when studying relationship dynamics and

marital satisfaction in this community. The present study aims to explore the relationship

between adult attachment scores and marital satisfaction among lesbians over 30. Additionally,

this paper discusses three different themes: adult attachment style, marital satisfaction, and the

experience of married lesbian couples. The following is a review of the relevant literature as it

pertains to the primary research question.

Review of Literature

Adult Attachment Style. Attachment theory is one of the most successful psychological

theories, and it was the joint work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth & Bowlby,

1991). John Bowlby first formulated attachment theory by applying some ideas from ethology

and developmental psychology in three groundbreaking papers that were later presented to the

British Psychoanalytic Society which are "The Nature of the Child’s Tie to His Mother" (1958),

"Separation Anxiety" (1959), and "Grief and Mourning in Infancy and Early Childhood" (1960).

In 1962, he completed two unpublished papers on defensive mechanisms related to mourning.

Collectively, these five papers establish the core framework of attachment theory (Goldberg et

al., 2009).

In attachment theory, Bowlby proposed that attachment behavior develops around two

months of age when the infant starts to exhibit attachment behavior constituted of instinctual

responses that tie them to their mothers, such as sucking, clinging, as well as the signaling

behaviors of smiling and crying (Goldberg et al., 2009). In An Overview of Adult Attachment

Theory by Shaver and Mikulincer (2009) states that the attachment figure is viewed as a target
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for attachment seeking in times of stress or need, and separation from this person should provoke

distress, protest, and striving for a reunion. Moreover, the attachment figure is seen as a real or

potential safe because the caregiver provides comfort, protection, and security in times of

distress. In other words, attachment-related interactions are aligned around the expectation of

receiving protection, comfort, or support from the attachment figure because it enables the infant

to regain emotional stability and return to effective interactions in the wider social and physical

environment (Shaver & Mikulincer, 2009). According to Ainsworth et al. (2015), “Patterns of

Attachment” explains the main findings of Mary Ainsworth’s revolutionary longitudinal study

conducted in Baltimore, where she and her students observed attachment behaviors among

infants and their mothers during the first year of life. Patterns of Attachment are mostly

recognized for their classification of secure, avoidant, and resistant/ambivalent classifications.

They are used to summarize individual differences observed during the Strang Situation

Procedure episodes (Ainsworth et al., 2015).

Marital Satisfaction. It is a multidimensional concept as it is affected by several factors,

and it is used to assess one’s happiness and stability in marriage (Tavakol et al., 2017). Marriage

is often described as the most important and foundational human relationship because it builds

the essential structure for forming a family and raising the next generation (Larson & Holman,

1994). Most studies about relationships focused on two variables in the past, including marital

characteristics and marital satisfaction (Kurdek, 1995). In a study, Rahim, Kaufman, and

Psenicka (2004) found that compromising styles positively impact marital satisfaction, which

occurs indirectly through the intercession of the collaborative style. In other words, the

compromising approaches improve marital satisfaction by contributing to a greater perception of

the employed collaborative style. These findings also indicate that avoiding and dominating
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styles—both of which characterize conflictual methods of addressing marital conflict—have

counterproductive effects on marital satisfaction. This negative impact is similarly mediated by

the collaborative style. Therefore, avoiding and dominating styles have a greater impact on

diminishing marital satisfaction and decreasing marital stability because of their association with

a reduced implementation of the collaborative style (Rahim et al., 2004). A longitudinal study by

Faulkner et al. (2005) found that husbands in a traditional gender role marriage reported less

marital satisfaction over time. Additionally, it was found that wives’ overall emotional well-being

directly impacts their husbands' marital satisfaction. Meanwhile, the husbands’ well-being had

less impact on wives’ satisfaction (Faulkner et al., 2005).

Experience of Married Lesbian Couples. Relationship experiences among lesbian

women differ from those of heterosexual women, primarily due to the fact that lesbians have

historically been denied access to marriage and legal partnership status. However, this

discrimination is currently changing in the United States as more and more lesbian couples are

granted access to marriage (Umberson et al., 2015). Same-sex attraction and feelings were often

suppressed and rarely openly expressed in the past, causing many women who were attracted to

other women to face strong societal pressure to marry men and start families (Reder, 2001).

Furthermore, lesbian committed relationships are formed within a social environment

characterized by stigma and discrimination as they experience unique challenges, including

deciding to reveal their sexual orientation to family and friends and the need to establish legal

rights and protections related to marriage (Rostosky et al., 2006). In a qualitative study by

Rostosky et al. (2007), a team of two graduate students analyzed 40 transcripts of conversations

among lesbian couples discussing their marginalized status in society. Their conversation focused

on discrimination from institutions, primarily religious and legal ones. Some couples addressed
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the lack of legal rights to marry and the associated protections, while others mentioned the

negative stereotypes and attitudes they received from others. Some other couples expressed their

frustration that the social stigma led others in society to have a negative role model perception

for same-sex couples (Rostosky et al., 2007). Lesbian couples often encounter unique challenges

when it comes to coming out to family and friends due to the stigma they encounter in society

and the lack of legal protection for their marriage.

Conclusion

The current study examines the relationship between adult attachment scores and marital

satisfaction among lesbians over 30. Three different themes were discussed in this paper. First,

adult attachment styles are based on the attachment theory proposed by Bowlby. It suggests that

attachment behavior emerges when infants display instinctual responses that bond them with

caregivers around two months of age. The attachment figure is viewed as a source of comfort and

support during times of need, and unwanted separation from this figure triggers feelings of

distress. Ainsworth's research identified distinct attachment patterns, including secure, avoidant,

and resistant/ambivalent, and they are based on observations of infant-mother interactions during

the first year of life. Second, marital satisfaction assesses the happiness and stability of married

individuals and is influenced by various factors. Research suggests that compromising and

collaborative behaviors are more likely to enhance marital stability, while avoiding and

dominating behaviors tend to lead to conflict and contribute to marriage instability. Lastly, the

experiences of married lesbian couples are significantly shaped by historical barriers to marriage

and legal partnership, which have often forced them to suppress their same-sex attraction in

favor of societal expectations to marry men, navigate the stigma associated with their

relationships, and decide whether to come out to family and friends. Section 3 contains the
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proposed methodology and design used to collect and analyze data to answer the primary

research question.
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References

Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M., Waters, E., & Wall, S. N. (2015). Patterns of attachment: A

psychological study of the strange situation. Psychology Press/Taylor & Francis Group.

Ainsworth, M. S., & Bowlby, J. (1991). An ethological approach to personality development.

American Psychologist, 46(4), 333–341. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.46.4.333

Faulkner, R. A., Davey, M., & Davey, A. (2005). Gender-related predictors of change in marital

satisfaction and marital conflict. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 33(1), 61–83.

https://doi.org/10.1080/01926180590889211

Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., & Kim, H.-J. (2017). The science of conducting research with LGBT

older adults- an introduction to aging with pride: National Health, Aging, and

sexuality/gender study (NHAS). The Gerontologist, 57(suppl 1).

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Feeney, J. A. (2008). Adult romantic attachment: Developments in the study of couple

relationships. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory,

research, and clinical applications (2nd ed., pp. 456–481). The Guilford Press.

Goldberg, S., Muir, R., & Kerr, J. (2009). Attachment theory: Social, developmental, and

Clinical Perspectives. Routledge.

Kurdek, L. A. (1995). Predicting change in marital satisfaction from husbands’ and wives’

conflict resolution styles. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57(1), 153.

https://doi.org/10.2307/353824
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Larson, J. H., & Holman, T. B. (1994). Premarital predictors of marital quality and stability.

Family Relations, 43(2), 228. https://doi.org/10.2307/585327

Li, T., & Chan, D. K. (2012a). How anxious and avoidant attachment affect romantic

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