Securely stressed: association between attachment and empathic stress in romantic couples

Gallistl M, Handke L, Kungl M, Gabler S, Croy I, Vrticka P, Engert V (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 15

Article Number: 32420

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-13970-9

Abstract

Stress-related disorders are common in modern societies. What adds to the burden is empathic stress, arising when observing another’s stress elicits a stress response in the observer. In romantic couples, we investigated the association between empathic stress and adult attachment—a deep emotional bond between partners—to understand its inherent facets of risk and resilience. Psychosocial stress was induced in one partner (“target”) while the other passively observed the situation (“observer”). Stress reactivity was measured in both partners via salivary cortisol, heart rate, high-frequency heart rate variability, and questionnaires. Observers’ attachment representations were assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview. We found higher cortisol resonance—that is, proportionality in stress reactivity in targets and observers—in dyads with securely as opposed to insecurely attached (specifically insecure-dismissing) observers. Consistent with attachment as a resilience factor, our results suggest that securely attached individuals are physiologically more in tune with their partners during psychosocially stressful situations, possibly allowing for mutual understanding and triggering supportive behavior. However, suggesting a potential risk inherent to attachment security, in contexts of frequent or extreme partner stress, securely attached individuals may also be prone to excessive empathic stress activation and subsequent health impairments.

Authors with CRIS profile

Melanie Kungl Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie Sandra Gabler Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für Kognitions- und Neurowissenschaften / Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences DE Germany (DE) Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Gallistl, M., Handke, L., Kungl, M., Gabler, S., Croy, I., Vrticka, P., & Engert, V. (2025). Securely stressed: association between attachment and empathic stress in romantic couples. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13970-9

MLA:

Gallistl, Mathilde, et al. "Securely stressed: association between attachment and empathic stress in romantic couples." Scientific Reports 15.1 (2025).

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