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Troublesome Relationships: A Part of Human Experience

Florida International University

Marcia E. Silver

Florida International University

Nathalie Franco

Florida International University

In a study of troublesome relationships, 343 university students and employees were surveyed. Issues addressed were the frequency, nature and precursors of negative relationship experiences. Over half of the respondents (55.7%) reported a very troublesome relationship within the previous 5 years. These were most often close relationships that deteriorated markedly as a result of the experience. Negative relationship involvement was related to insecure styles of attachment. Those with an insecure-avoidant attachment style were also more prone to use alcohol or drugs to cope with the troubled relationship and they were more likely to end the relationship. The results support the view that a history of poor attachment relations may compromise later relationships. However, the attachment effects were modest and the pervasiveness of troublesome relationship encounters suggests that these are an ubiquitous part of the human experience.

Key Words: conflict • relationship • trouble

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 13, No. 4, 523-536 (1996)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407596134003


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