The Relationship Between Cognitive Reserve and Attachment Styles in Adult Romantic Relationships. An Exploratory Study

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the relationship between cognitive reserve (a well-known protective factor in aging) and attachment style in a sample of healthy older individuals. Methods: The study assessed the cognitive reserve and attachment styles of 160 older adults (all involved in a romantic relationship at time of data collection). Results: Findings highlighted high avoidance-based styles in aging individuals. Data also highlighted how individuals with avoidant attachment are more likely to have a higher cognitive reserve. Conclusions: Based on the results, cognitive reserve training might be useful to reduce anxiety in individuals with anxious attachment styles, who appeared to be the least engaged in activities that could benefit their cognitive reserve. Clinical implicationsTherapists should identify and address avoidant attachment styles in older clients, use strategies to increase cognitive reserve for those with avoidant attachment, and incorporate cognitive reserve-building activities into anxiety reduction programs for clients with anxious attachment styles.