The effect of adult attachment figure odor and attachment style on the experience of discomfort following stress exposure

Sammanfattning: This mixed model experiment (N=39) explored the effect of adult attachment figure (romantic partner) odor and attachment style on the experience of discomfort following exposure to a stressor. Results showed a main effect of attachment figure odor on the experience of discomfort compared to three other odors. No moderating effect of attachment style, degree of principal attachment figure function of one’s partner, relationship satisfaction or length of relationship was indicated. Support was found for a normative effect of attachment figure odor, but not for a moderating effect of individual differences in attachment style or other aspects of the romantic relationships. These results can be seen as support for the idea that attachment between an adult and his/her romantic partner develops regardless of the quality of the actual attachment relationship. An emotion regulating effect of one’s attachment figure appears to exist regardless of one’s attachment style and other qualities of the romantic relationship. In addition results indicate that olfaction is a sensory modality through which the attachment behavioural system functions within romantic relationships.