Attachment Patterns, Dispositional Forgiveness, and Perceived Social-Support among Emerging Adults

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship among attachment patterns, dispositional forgiveness, and perceived social support of emerging adults and probed into whether there existed any difference, in terms of gender or relationship status, in their attachment patterns. The participants (N=201) aged 18-25 years, were recruited on-line and completed the Revised Adult Attachment Scale: close relationship version (RAAS), Trait Forgiveness Scale (TFS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS). Data analyses using non-parametric tests revealed significant positive relationship among attachment patterns barring anxious attachment, to dispositional forgiveness and perceived social support of young adults. Anxious attachment was negatively correlated with perceived social support and had no relationship to dispositional forgiveness. No significant gender difference or relationship status difference in adult attachment patterns were observed. The intricacies in attachment patterns, dispositional forgiveness, and perceived social support and how it affects the interpersonal interactions of young adults are highlighted.