Insecure Attachment and Personality Pathology: Concurrent Assessment and Longitudinal Modeling

Insecure attachment and personality pathology are parallel frameworks for representing interpersonal dysfunction. Although research to date has revealed strong bivariate associations between these constructs, the current state of the science is nonspecific and leaves piecemeal guidance for clinical and empirical efforts. The goal of the present study was to determine the magnitude of the associations between attachment and personality pathology across two conceptualizations of maladaptivity and across three waves of time, thereby satisfying repeated calls for empirical innovation in this area. A sample of newlywed heterosexual couples (N=202 individuals) completed longitudinal assessments of personality pathology and romantic attachment insecurity. Results suggested that the covariation of attachment and personality pathology may be marred by measurement problems related to distress saturation in attachment and PD instruments. Latent curve modelling further suggested that attachment insecurity and PDs fluctuate concurrently within-persons. Future research should work towards validating unity models of attachment and personality pathology, correcting key measures, and documenting specific mechanisms of association between these constructs.