Adult attachment and relationship satisfaction among young adults: the mediating role of perceived partner responsiveness
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Previous research has established that insecure attachment is negatively associated with intimate relationship satisfaction. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying these associations, particularly in young adults, warrant further investigation. Guided by attachment theory, the present study investigated the mediating role of perceived partner responsiveness (PPR) in the relationship between adult attachment dimensions (avoidance and anxiety) and intimate relationship satisfaction among Chinese college students. In a cross-sectional design, 404 college students currently involved in romantic relationships completed online questionnaires assessing attachment styles, PPR, and relationship satisfaction. Attachment avoidance and anxiety were examined simultaneously to estimate their unique associations while accounting for their shared variance. The findings suggest distinct relational patterns for the two attachment dimensions among young adults: PPR accounted for only part of the association between avoidance and relationship satisfaction, whereas the unique association involving anxiety was primarily indirect through PPR. Future research could compare different developmental stages to examine whether perceived partner responsiveness is particularly salient for relationship satisfaction during young adulthood.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Authors: Siqi Alice Wang, Junqing Wang
Institution: Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7222952812