A relational account of low power: The role of the attachment system in reduced proactivity

•Attachment theory is relevant to power given power’s inherently relational nature.•Low power increases attachment anxiety and reduces proactive behaviors.•Attachment anxiety mediates the link between low power and reduced proactivity.•Attachment security mitigates the effect of low power on reduced proactivity.•Attachment theory helps explain the reduced proactivity of low power individuals.