General Versus Specific Mental Models of Attachment: Are They Associated with Different Outcomes?

Abstract

The present study examined the relationships between mental models of attachment and both overall psychological adjustment and relationship-related outcomes. Mental models were assessed in the context of a specific relationship as well as for people in general. Overall, partner-specific mental models had stronger and more numerous associations with the outcome variables than did general mental models. General models (especially model of self) were most strongly associated with measures of overall psychological adjustment. However, specific mental models were much more strongly associated with relationship-specific outcomes such as feelings of romantic love or relationship satisfaction than were general mental models. Self-esteem was more strongly related to global psychological adjustment than was model of self, but specific model of self was more strongly related to outcomes in relationships. Trust was not related to any of the dependent variables in the study.