New study shows how mindfulness can benefit our romantic relationships - PsyPost

New research published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships provides evidence that mindfulness can help to enhance attachment security among romantic couples.

“We were particularly intrigued by this topic because so many people can benefit from increased attachment security, and the benefits of it are so widespread – attachment security is linked to positive outcomes in so many domains, including health, relationships, and career outcomes,” said study author Taranah Gazder, a research assistant at the Health and Relationship Processes (HARP) Lab at the University of Edinburgh.

In addition, those with greater relationship mindfulness tended to score higher on a measure of empathy, which in turn was associated with a decrease in attachment avoidance.

Importantly, the findings held after controlling for demographic factors, relationship satisfaction, perceived partner responsiveness, and positive and negative emotional states.

“It was surprising that preoccupation with the relationship did not actually explain the relation between general mindfulness and attachment anxiety, and we are curious to find out what does,” Gazder said.

“The biggest follow-up question is investigating how we can actively intervene on these variables to increase people’s attachment security,” Gazder said.