Examining the relationship between perceived parental relationship, attachment patterns, and conflict resolution responses in dyadic relationships

The primary aim of this study is to identify the relationships among perceived parental relationship, attachment patterns, and conflict resolution responses in romantic relationships, and to determine whether perceived parental relationship and attachment patterns predict conflict resolution responses in romantic relationships. As a secondary objective, the study aims to examine whether participants' sociodemographic characteristics differ significantly in terms of these variables. The research conducted for these purposes is based on a relational survey model and is of a quantitative and cross-sectional nature. The data collection method employed in the study is a questionnaire. Data were collected based on the Likert scale through the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory–Relationship Structure (ECR-RS)–Partner/Attachment Patterns Scale, the Perceived Parental Relationship Scale, and the Conflict Resolution Responses in Romantic Relationships Scale. The population of the study consists of men and women aged 18 and over who live in Türkiye and are in a romantic relationship. From this population, 380 valid questionnaire forms were obtained through the convenience sampling method. The data obtained were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 24 software. In order to determine whether participants' sociodemographic characteristics show statistically significant differences with respect to the variables, Independent Samples t-test and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were utilized. To determine the direction and strength of the relationships among the variables, correlation analysis was conducted. In order to assess whether perceived parental relationship and attachment patterns predict conflict resolution responses in romantic relationships, regression analysis was employed. According to the findings from the difference analyses, it was revealed that parental relationship attitudes, attachment patterns, and conflict resolution strategies in romantic relationships significantly differ according to certain sociodemographic variables. It has been determined that sociodemographic factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, parental union, caregiver, and psychiatric diagnosis show statistically significant differences, particularly in terms of parental perception and conflict responses. Findings related to the relationship between perceived parental relationship and conflict resolution responses in romantic relationships indicated that indifferent parental attitudes were positively associated with maladaptive responses such as exit and neglect, and negatively associated with constructive responses such as dialogue and loyalty. Democratic attitudes were positively related to dialogue and loyalty responses, and negatively related to exit responses. Protective attitudes also showed positive relationships with dialogue and loyalty, and negative relationships with exit responses. Authoritarian and dependent attitudes, on the other hand, showed limited significant relationships with conflict responses. Regression analyses revealed that parental attitudes predicted conflict responses at a low but statistically significant level. In terms of attachment styles, avoidant and anxious attachment were found to be positively associated with destructive conflict responses such as exit and neglect, and negatively associated with the constructive response of dialogue, and were significantly predicted. It was understood that anxious and avoidant attachment patterns increase the use of unhealthy conflict resolution strategies while reducing constructive communication.