Self-Compassion and Compassion Towards One's Partner Mediate the Negative Association Between Insecure Attachment and Relationship Quality

The quality of intimate relationships has been found to be a strong negative predictor for individuals’ mental and physical health problems. A significant predictor of relationship quality is adult attachment insecurity, but the mechanism by which attachment insecurity affects relationship quality needs further investigation. This study investigated whether self-compassion and compassion for one’s partner mediated this association. Three-hundred-forty-two individuals participated in an online survey assessing attachment anxiety and avoidance, compassionate and uncompassionate attitude towards self and one’s partner, as well as relationship quality and relationship satisfaction. The results showed that low self-compassionate attitude mediated the association between attachment anxiety and poor relationship quality. Further, low compassionate and high uncompassionate attitude towards one’s partner mediated the association between attachment avoidance and poor relationship quality. No mediating effect was found for relationship satisfaction. Implications for interventions are discussed.