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of Victoria
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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Sean Morgan

  • BSc (University of British Columbia-Okanagan, 2021)

Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Master of Science

Topic

The Interpersonal Mechanisms of Prenatal Couple Conflict Dynamics

Department of Psychology

Date & location

  • Monday, May 13, 2024

  • 1:00 P.M.

  • Clearihue Building Room B215

  • and Virtual

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

  • Dr. Erica Woodin, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria (Supervisor)

  • Dr. Catherine Costigan, Department of Psychology, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

  • Dr. Christine Ou, School of Nursing, UVic 

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Dennis Hore, Department of Chemistry, UVic

     

Abstract

According to Kluwer’s (2010) transition to parenthood model, attachment insecurity (attachment avoidance and anxiety) is a prenatal risk factor that can affect the ways couples manage conflict. However, the specific mechanisms that link attachment to conflict have not been elucidated. This thesis was the first to test emotional flooding, a type of interpersonal emotion dysregulation, as a mediator for the relationship between attachment insecurity and prenatal couple conflict behaviours. We also sought to understand the complex interplay between attachment and emotional flooding from a dyadic lens, examining how each partner’s attachment style might interact to predict heightened emotions during conflict. Cross-sectional data were collected from 98 couples who were expecting their first child. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling (Raudenbush et al., 1995), polynomial regression (PR) and response surface analysis (RSA; Shanock et al., 2010), and variations of actor partner interdependence models (APIM; Cook and Kenny, 2005). The interaction between avoidant men and anxious women predicted greater emotional flooding in men. Avoidance matching between partners also predicted greater flooding in women. Finally, flooding mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and displays of distress in men and displays of hostility in women. Results support literature citing coercive dynamics and the emotional antecedents of aversive conflict behaviours. Limitations and clinical implications are also discussed.

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