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The degree to which attachment orientations are related to negative mood regulation expectancies and conflict management strategies with best friends and romantic partners was examined for a sample of late adolescent, female college students (N = 140). Correlational and multiple regression analyses yielded results that were generally consistent with theoretical expectations. Adolescents with more insecure attachment orientations were likely to report having difficulties managing conflict with attachment figures and had less confidence regulating negative mood than individuals who endorsed more secure orientations. In addition, more avoidant and ambivalent attachment orientations often predicted specific conflict management difficulties, and confidence in negative mood regulation partially mediated these associations. The results are discussed in relation to previous research on attachment theory and implications for interventions are offered.
INTRODUCTION
Because of the large volume of theory suggesting that the transition to adult roles can be greatly enhanced by close emotional relationships with attachment figures (e.g., Bowlby, 1980; Main, 1996), the current study examined relations between late adolescent attachment orientations and interpersonal conflict skills with best friends and romantic partners within a collegiate environment. While it is evident that these social contacts do not represent a complete picture of the support network available to the college student, considerable theoretical and empirical work suggests that best friends and romantic partners are important ingredients to the adolescent's social environment (Furman and Buhrmester, 1992; Furman and Wehner, 1994; Hazan and Shaver, 1994; Sullivan, 1953).
The important emotional role these attachment figures play in the lives of late adolescents is underscored by several considerations. First, an ability to maintain close relationships with friends and romantic partners is consistently associated with positive adolescent mental health (Armsden and Greenberg, 1987; Buhrmester, 1990) and self-esteem (Connolly and Konarski, 1994). In addition, although continued support from caregivers is an important predictor of adaptive functioning among college students (Greenberg et al., 1983; Kenny and Donaldson, 1991; Larose and Boivin, 1998), these youth also clearly value support received from the peer group. For example, at least one study has found that college students often mention romantic partners first when queried about attachment figures that are central to their lives (Buhrmester, 1996). Indeed, professionals working in university counseling centers are well aware that difficulties with friends, roommates, and romantic partners...