Attachment, Interpersonal Relations Anxiety, and Life Satisfaction in University Students

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between Adult Attachment, Interpersonal Relations Anxiety, and Life Satisfaction in university students. It was hypothesized that there is a significant relationship between the variables of the study. Moreover, a significant gender difference with respect to the study variables is expected in this research. Adult Attachment Scale, Interpersonal Relations Anxiety Questionnaire, and the Life Satisfaction Scale were used to analyze the study variables. The sample of the study comprised 200 university students of ages ranging between 19 to 25 (M=21.50, SD=.501) with an equal number of men (n=100) and women (n=100). The results indicated that interpersonal relations anxiety had significant negative correlation with life satisfaction. Furthermore, secure attachment was found to have a significant positive correlation with Life Satisfaction as well as it had negative correlation with the interpersonal relations anxiety, ambivalent, and avoidant attachment. Besides, avoidant attachment had significant positive correlation with interpersonal relations anxiety scores. In addition to it, ambivalent and avoidant attachment had significant negative correlation with secure attachment pattern. The t-test showed that men and women participants of the study don’t differ in terms of their life satisfaction and adult attachment patterns. but they do significantly differ in terms of their interpersonal anxiety. the results are discussed in the light of cultural context of Pakistan and existing literature.