Adult Attachment Predicts Advice, Exemplar Sharing, and Questions to Acquaintances Recently Diagnosed With Cancer

Abstract

This study examined how adult attachment patterns influence communication to acquaintances with cancer diagnoses. Adults completed Brennan et al.’s measures of attachment anxiety and avoidance, then reported their likelihood of expressing various comments to a recently diagnosed acquaintance. Anxiety predicted expressions of admiration, sharing cancer exemplars, and questions about the cancer (i.e., all potentially intimacy-enhancing), as well as advice (i.e., attempted caregiving). Avoidance predicted aversion to asking questions or offering help. These findings provide insight into nonintimates’ attempts at support.