It can sometimes feel like a battle trying to juggle everything from relationships to work. People often believe that a heavy investment of time in work is usually associated to a decline in relationship satisfaction. While relationships vary between couples, in most cases this association is often true. Successful relationships often require time commitment and the ability to form a safe and secure bond with your partner.
New research by Annette Towler and Alice Stuhlmacher proposes that the skills and ability to create positive and fruitful relationships in your personal life is also essential for success at work. The capacity to form secure and meaningful relationships through appropriate emotional responses to others (friendships, intimate relationships, familial relationships) is key for creating good workplace practices. Here's the model of attachment:
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Participants in the study were 214 women in the United States with 84% having graduated with a graduate or professional degree.
· Avoidance attachment styles tended to have less cohesive/satisfactory relationships.
· Anxious attachment styles tend to be concerned with self-concept. The extent to how they perceive others see them may lead them to behaviors that do not lead to cohesiveness.
· Women with secure relationships tend to have a higher quality of relationship with their supervisor/boss.
· Anxious women tend to invest heavily in relationships but often have difficulties maintaining the relationship in an effective way. For this reason, women with an anxious attachment style often have a neutral relationship with their supervisor.
· Avoidant attachment style tends to have the lowest quality relationship with their supervisor.
· Relationship satisfaction correlated with higher job satisfaction and lowered conflict at work.
· Women who have a secure attachment style tend to strong social skills, are able to decode emotions linked to well being.
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It looks like success in love, work and life are all interrelated. Attachment styles are also not static. While the foundation of attachment styles are developed in your early relationships, new relationships can move you to a more secure style. It might also be worth noting that people with avoidant attachment styles are more likely to choose an occupational path that is limited in interaction with others. It seems like having it all may simply involve changes in one element of your life for other areas to feel this effect.
Source: Towler, J.A. & Stuhlmacher, F.A. (2013). Attachment styles, relationship satisfaction and well-being in working women. Journal of Social Psychology.
Amy Yew is a registered clinical counselor and relationship therapist. Tell us what you think and submit any questions you have to amyvancouvercourier@gmail.com. You can also tweet your thoughts on Twitter @AmyYew.
