The Mediating Role of Sleep in the Link between Attachment Styles and Conflict Styles in Romantic Relationships

Alyssa McCoy, University of Northern Iowa
Dilbur D. Arsiwalla, University of Northern Iowa

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine if sleep quality (e.g., onset latency, efficiency, daytime sleepiness) mediates the links between insecure attachment styles and conflict communication styles (i.e., criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling). About 244 undergraduate students answered questions about sleep, attachment style characteristics, and conflict characteristics in their current or previous romantic relationships. Sleep was found to explain the relationship between attachment styles and conflict communication styles when flooding was used as an indicator for stonewalling. However, further research is needed to better understand why people with insecure attachment styles tend to use negative styles of conflict communication.