Adult Silbing Communication: Attachment Style and Strategy

Abstract

In an effort to further understand communication within sibling relationships, this study examined adult sibling relationships and the connection between attachment styles and the strategies or relational maintenance behaviors used to maintain such relationships. The study will employ the theoretical framework of attachment theory originally presented by Bowlby (1973). Scholars agree that the basic principle of attachment theory is that attachment relationships continue to be an important factor throughout the life span. Current research has used this theory to link attachment style with the use of relational maintenance behaviors in voluntary relationships. Having developed this framework, the next logical application of the theory is to discuss the use of attachment style and relational maintenance behaviors in non-voluntary relations. Of particular interest to this study is the connection between siblings in middle adulthood and the maintenance strategies used with their sibling.