Within-person variation in security of attachment: A self-determination theory perspective on attachment, need fulfillment, and well-being

Attachment research has traditionally focused on individual differences in global patterns of attachment to important others. The current research ins tead focuses primarily on within-person variability in attachments across r elational partners. It was predicted that within-person variability would b e substantial, even among primary attachment figures of mother, father, rom antic partner, and best friend. The prediction was supported in three studi es. Furthermore. in line with self-determination theory, multilevel modelin g and regression analyses showed that, at the relationship level, individua ls' experience of fulfillment of the basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness positively predicted overall attachment security, model of self, and model of other. Relations of both attachment and need satisfactio n to well-being were also explored.