Influence of Attachment Styles and Conflict Resolution Strategies on Relationship Dynamics in Non-Romantic Contexts
Non-romantic relationships often lack focused scholarly attention, yet they play a pivotal role in emotional well-being and social cohesion. This study addresses the problem of understanding how conflict resolution strategies and attachment styles interact to shape relationship dynamics—specifically, support, depth, and conflict—within friendships, familial bonds, and professional settings. A cross sectional survey design, adopting expo facto method was used with a sample of 400 participants from the University of Ibadan community. Results indicate that attachment avoidance strongly predicts lower support (β = -0.051, p < .001) and depth (β = -0.051, p < .001), while attachment anxiety negatively predicts conflict (β = -0.034, p < .001). Additionally, constructive strategies (e.g., collaborating, accommodating) correlate with higher relational quality, whereas competitive or avoidant approaches exacerbate tension. Overall, 27.3% of variance in support, 12% in conflict, and 21.9% in depth were explained by the model. These findings underscore the importance of secure attachment and effective conflict resolution in fostering healthier non-romantic bonds. It was then concluded that interventions focusing on communication training, emotional regulation, and collaborative problem-solving could further illuminate how individuals navigate recurring challenges in diverse social settings.