Attachment style and prolonged singlehood in the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel

Abstract

The present study investigates the relationship between attachment style and prolonged singlehood in the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel. As in many religious and collectivistic communities, great value is attached to the institution of marriage while singlehood is perceived as an unwanted phenomenon and inflicts suffering on ultra-Orthodox singles and on their families. Two hundred and fifty-nine singles, women and men, who define themselves as ultra-Orthodox responded to an online questionnaire about “Experiences in Close Relationships” and a personal details questionnaire. The dependent variable of the singlehood period was defined by three values: (1) “number of years of singlehood” (N = 259), (2) “number of years of dating” (N = 249), and (3) “number of partners dated” (N = 239). The end of the singlehood period by marriage was defined functionally as the engagement of the participant. Data was subjected to a Cox proportional hazards survival analysis. Results generally showed that avoidant and anxious attachment styles were negatively correlated with the odds of getting married. Results are discussed in the context of attachment theory and the capability of compromising during the process of match-making.