Physical Distance Between Romantic Partners as a Marker for Attachment in Couples: A Proof of Concept Study

Proximity seeking is at the core of attachment theory. Previously proximity has been studied almost exclusively in psychological terms. In clinical practice, however, couple therapists may interpret physical distance between romantic partners as a marker for the quality of the attachment bond. Unfortunately, this concept of physical distance between partners as an expression of attachment has never been tested. This study examines whether physical distance between romantic partners is associated with attachment. In 53 students and 43 clinical couples physical distance was repeatedly measured from video using novel software with excellent reliability. Attachment was measured with the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire. It was found that male attachment anxiety about rejection repeatedly showed statistically significant associations with physical interpersonal distance in student and clinical couples. We conclude that attachment may manifest itself not only in terms of psychological intimacy but also in terms of physical distance. Clinical utility and research implications are discussed.