Comparison of internal working models between low conflict and high couples in Tehran

Abstract

Internal working model is the most essential concept in attachment theory that explain adult romantic behavior in marital relationships. This study aimed to compare internal working models between low conflict and high conflict couples in Tehran. The samples include 100 low conflict persons and 100 high conflict persons in marital relationships that were randomly selected. The research’s tools were Internal Working Model Questionary (IMWQ) that was made by researcher, and Marital Conflicts Questionary (MCQ). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), LSD incidental test, and discriminant analysis were used for analysis of the research’s data. The results showed that there is significant difference (p<0/01) between the profiles of internal working models’ components of low conflict and high conflict persons. Also the results indicated that each component of internal working model between low conflict and high conflict persons was significantly different (p<0/01). The discriminant analysis showed that it’s possible to predicate group membership of persons in successful and unsuccessful groups, with 99/5% probability. Then according to findings low conflict couples have secure memories, attitudes, needs, and strategies while high conflicts couples have unsecure memories, attitudes, needs, and strategies.

Keywords

• internal working models
• low conflict couples
• high conflict couples