Adult Attachment Style Research Articles

Adult attachment style, perceived social support, and post-traumatic stress among female victims of sexual assault

The present study aimed to investigate the interplay between adult attachment style, perceived social support, and post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms among adult female victims of sexual assault)SA(. While prior research has established the link between insecure attachment style and PTS, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The potential role of perceived social support as a mediator in this relationship has been largely neglected and there is a dearth of studies investigating this mediation among victims of SA. The present study sought to address this gap in literature. Two hundred twenty-six women who have endured SA completed self-report measures of attachment style, perceived social support, and PTS, using an online survey. The results confirmed the anticipated pattern, showing a positive correlation between insecure attachment styles and PTS, as well as a negative correlation with perceived social support. A mediation analysis indicated that perceived social support may be a mechanism linking attachment styles to PTS. Following SA, insecurely attached women, especially those with avoidant attachment, have difficulties relying on and utilizing support from their environment, which may render them more susceptible to PTS. Nevertheless, the mediation was partial, indicating that attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance independently contribute to the development and maintenance of PTS.

The Relationship between Adult Attachment Style and Perceived Knowledge of Partner Sex History among University Students

The Relationship between Adult Attachment Style and Perceived Knowledge of Partner Sex History among University Students

The meaning of touch: Relational and individual variables shape emotions and intentions associated with imagined social touch.

Touch is a key channel for conveying meaning in social interactions. The affective quality of touch and its effects on well-being are shaped by relational context (relationship between touch giver vs. recipient) and person variables (e.g. adult attachment style). Yet, such effects have not been explored in relation to the meaning ascribed to touch. We used data from the Touch Test, the world's largest touch survey, which included questions on the degree to which people felt and related specific emotions and intentions to imagined gentle stroking touch and hugs. In N = 23,428, we examined how relational context (imagined source of touch) and person variables (gender, recalled positive childhood touch and adult attachment style) were associated with positive (e.g. love, desire, support) and negative (e.g. fear, anger, warning) emotions and intentions related to imagined touch. Love, desire and support were endorsed more when participants had had their partner (vs. someone else) in mind, and women (vs. men) gave lower ratings for desire overall. Gentle stroking touch was most linked with arousal when participants had had their partner in mind. Further, more positive childhood touch and secure and anxious attachment scores were associated with more positive emotions and intentions, while the opposite was found for avoidant attachment scores. Lastly, positive childhood touch and higher anxious attachment scores were related to greater discrimination between distinct emotion and intention categories, while higher attachment avoidance was associated with reduced discriminability. Thus, contextual and person variables matter in shaping the meaning of social touch.

The Relationship between Perceived Parenting Behaviors, Adult Attachment Styles, Fear of Self, and Severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The Relationship between Perceived Parenting Behaviors, Adult Attachment Styles, Fear of Self, and Severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Relational aggression in romantic relationship: empirical evidence among young female adults in Malaysia

BackgroundAggressive behaviour in romantic relationship is a social problem of great concern. Studies related to the influence of psychosocial factors on relational aggression are still limited. Furthermore, these factors have not been widely studied in the local context, resulting in the issue of relational aggression among young female adults still not being addressed. This study aims to explore whether psychosocial factors such as big five personality traits, adult attachment style and loneliness could predict relational aggression in romantic relationships among young female adults in Malaysia. In addition, this study aims to identify the moderating effect of social support in the relationship between psychosocial factors and relational aggression in romantic relationship.MethodsA quantitative research approach was used with 424 young female adults in Malaysia aged between 18 and 30 years old (mean age = 24.18) were recruited through multistage sampling design by completing a questionnaire consisting of the Big Five Inventory (BFI), Experiences in Close Relationships Scale II (ECRS-II), Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, Measure of Relational Aggression and Victimization (MRAV) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).ResultsMultiple regression analysis predicted significant relationship between agreeableness personality, loneliness, avoidant attachment style and anxious attachment style with relational aggression in romantic relationships. Hierarchical regression analysis found a significant effect of social support as a moderator between loneliness with relational aggression in romantic relationships.ConclusionsThus, the results show that young female adults with low level of agreeableness, high level of loneliness, avoidant attachment style and anxious attachment style are at a higher risk of engaging in relational aggression in romantic relationships. The implication of this study can help in understanding the psychosocial factors that form the basis of relational aggression in romantic relationships. Hence, the gap in knowledge warrants further research.

The risk and protective factors on the mental health of healthcare workers during the lockdown period due to covid-19 pandemic

This study aimed to analyze the impact of the lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status of healthcare workers and identify the related risk factors of psychosomatic distress. We conducted an online questionnaire survey to investigate the general demographic characteristics, perceived stress level, adult attachment style (AAS), family cohesion and adaptability, social support, sleep state, emotional state, and physical health of healthcare workers during the lockdown period due to the pandemic in 2022. We compared the mental health status between doctors and nurses, and further analyzed the factors influencing sleep, emotions, physical symptoms, and severe psychosomatic distress separately. For factors that showed statistical significance in the univariate analysis, forward stepwise regression was used for logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for the corresponding issues. A total of 622 healthcare workers participated in the survey. Among the participants, 121 (19.5%) reported sleep problems, 209 (33.6%) had negative emotional states, and 147 (23.6%) reported physical health problems. There were 48 (7.7%) healthcare workers with severe psychosomatic distress. Compared to the group of nurses, the group of doctors exhibit a higher prevalence of emotional issues, physical health problems and psychosomatic distress. Perceived stress was identified as a risk factor for sleep disturbance, while living with others during quarantine and family adaptability were identified as protective factors. Higher educational background and perceived stress were identified as risk factors for negative emotion, while subjective support was identified as a protective factor. Perceived stress and coming from a rural area were also identified as risk factors for physical health. Overall, for the comparison between the no psychosomatic distress and severe psychosomatic distress groups, perceived stress was identified as a risk factor for severe psychosomatic distress, while subjective support was identified as a protective factor. Healthcare workers’ potential mental and physical health problems are related to their educational background, family cohesion and adaptability, perceived stress and social support. This makes it clearer on how to deal with and prevent adverse consequences when facing stressful situations.

Attachment in Young Adults and Life Satisfaction at Age 30: A Birth Cohort Study

BackgroundSatisfying close relationships are associated with higher levels of life satisfaction throughout the life course. Despite the fundamental role of attachment style in close relationships, few studies have longitudinally examined the association between attachment style in young adults with later life satisfaction.MethodData from 2,088 participants in a longitudinal birth cohort study were examined. At 21-years, participants completed the Attachment Style Questionnaire which comprises five domains reflective of internal working models of interpersonal relationships and attachment style: confidence (security), discomfort with closeness and relationships as secondary (avoidance), need for approval and preoccupation with relationships (anxiety). At 30-years, participants self-reported their overall life satisfaction. Linear regression was used to longitudinally examine the association between attachment domains at 21-years and life satisfaction at age 30.ResultsAfter adjustments, confidence was positively associated with life satisfaction (β = 0.41, 95% CI 0.25–0.56, p < 0.001), while need for approval was negatively associated with life satisfaction (β = -0.17, 95% CI -0.30 – -0.04, p < 0.001). Low income at 21, caring for a child by age 21, and leaving the parental home at 16-years or under were negatively associated with life satisfaction at 30-years.ConclusionYoung adult attachment style is associated with later life satisfaction, particularly through confidence in self and others. Promoting positive internal working models of interpersonal relationships and fostering greater confidence in self and others in adolescence may be an effective strategy for improving life satisfaction later in life.

Perceived Parental Involvement in Childhood and Its Relationship with Adult Attachment Styles and Depression in Adults

Parental involvement is crucial as it shapes not only childhood development but also influences long-term psychological well-being and relational patterns in adulthood. This cross-sectional study delves into the intricate dynamics between parental involvement during childhood, adult attachment styles, and depression among a diverse sample of 120 adults aged 18 and above. Participants were recruited through various channels and administered the Parental Involvement Scale (PIS), Adult Attachment Scale (AAS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and a demographic form. Through rigorous data analysis, including correlation techniques, significant associations emerged, shedding light on the complex interrelationships among these variables. The findings underscore the enduring impact of parental involvement on adult attachment styles and mental health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of early familial influences in shaping individual psychological well-being. Nature of human development, informing future research endeavors and intervention strategies aimed at promoting healthy attachment patterns and mitigating depressive symptoms in adulthood are studied.

The Influence of Different Gender Roles on the Formation of Attachment Types--An Analysis from an Evolutionary Psychology Perspective

The formation of attachment style is closely related to the development of children and the formation of intimate relationship, which is an important subject in the field of psychology. Some previous studies have found significant gender differences in insecure attachment and romantic attachment styles in adulthood. Women crave secure attachment more than men do. When it comes to romantic attachment, men are more avoidant, while women show more anxiety. This paper searches and collates relevant theories and studies, integrating the physiological and psychosocial factors that lead to this difference. In the course of biological evolution, survival, reproduction, and sexual division of labor provide reliable explanations for the differences in the physical, psychological, and social experiences of men and women. Despite the limitations of the current study and the controversy surrounding the findings, a study of cognition in gay and straight groups provides an important clue that an individual's overall cognitive pattern shows a higher correlation with cognitive gender than with biological sex. In future studies, the determination of "gender" from the previous biological sex to cognitive sex selection may help to obtain more accurate experimental results.

A two-generation study of attachment in mothers and their young adult offspring: Latent classes of attachment and associations with anxiety and depression

BackgroundEvidence supports the conceptualization of adult attachment as existing along a continuum of attachment security and insecurity; however, ongoing debates persist regarding the use of categorical versus continuous approaches to studying attachment. Attachment data collected from a large community sample of mothers and their offspring in young adulthood were used to examine i) latent classes of adult attachment, ii) associations between mother and offspring attachment, iii) the relationship between adult attachment and mental health symptoms. MethodsMothers and offspring were each administered the Attachment Style Questionnaire when offspring were aged 21-years. Latent class analyses (LCA) were performed to examine response patterns across ASQ items. Associations between mothers' and offspring attachment, and correlations between attachment domains and depression/anxiety subscales were examined. ResultsLCA identified four latent classes across a continuum of secure and insecure attachment rather than four distinct adult attachment styles. Anxious attachment subscales correlated strongly with depression/anxiety symptoms in both cohorts. Mothers' attachment was significantly but weakly correlated with their young adult offspring attachment. LimitationsAttachment was measured at one time point and as such, a causal maternal-offspring attachment relationship could not be established. ConclusionsFindings support a dimensional view of attachment security and insecurity over a four-category model of adult attachment. Attachment correlated with anxiety and depressive symptoms and highlights the importance of considering adult attachment when addressing mental health. There was limited evidence of a relationship between middle aged mothers and their offspring in young adulthood, suggesting other factors influence attachment in adulthood.

Adult Attachment Styles and Conflict Resolution Strategies Among Romantic Relationships

Abstract: To assess the relationship between Adult attachment styles and Conflict resolution strategies among romantic relationships, a correlational design was used. Responses were collected from 121 individuals, out of which 113 responses were selected and the rest 8 responses had to be eliminated due to not meeting the cut-off scores. Conflict Resolution Inventory-Self Version (CRSI-Self) scale and 36-item Experience in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire (ECR – RQ) scale were used. To analyze the collected data, Spearman Correlation and Mann Whitney U-test was used. The results showed significant differences between the two groups in avoidant attachment styles and acceptance styles in conflict resolution strategies. The study found a positive relationship between anxious attachment style and conflict engagement, self-protection, and acceptance, while a weak negative relationship existed between anxious and positive problem-solving styles. K

Attachment style and distress in couples experiencing sexual desire discrepancy

Intimate partners’ sexual desire for each other can fluctuate throughout the course of their relationship, and greater difference between partners’ habitual level of sexual desire (i.e., sexual desire discrepancy [SDD]) is linked to lower sexual and relationship satisfaction ( Mark, 2015 ). Although some couples view SDD as a natural and normal part of a sexual relationship, others experience significant distress and may seek therapy. Based on a prominent literature on attachment among couples ( Birnbaum &amp; Reis, 2019 ; Mark et al., 2018 ; Mikulincer &amp; Shaver, 2007 ), the current study incorporated an actor-partner interdependence model to examine the dyadic associations between insecure attachment style (i.e., anxious, avoidant) and sexual desire among couples experiencing distressing or non-distressing levels of SDD. Couples ( N = 202; 51% female, 48% male, 1% different gender; M = 28 years old, SD = 5.05) were recruited through social media (e.g., Instagram, Twitter) and completed a survey assessing sexual distress, adult attachment style, and sexual desire. Although anxious and avoidant attachment did not moderate an association between SDD and sexual distress, higher levels of avoidant attachment were associated with sexual distress for the individual, but not with their partner’s distress. Findings suggest attachment may be essential for understanding individuals’ experience of sexual distress when coping with discrepant levels of sexual desire in romantic relationships.

Fearful Attachment and Suicide Probability: The Mediating Role of Psychological Symptoms on Medical School Students

The mediating role of psychological symptoms in the relationship between fearful attachment and suicide probability was examined. The data were obtained from 192 medical school students. Adult Attachment Styles Scale, Suicide Probability Scale, and Symptom Check List 90R were used to collect the data. Correlation analysis was utilized to examine the relationships between variables, and the mediating role was determined using the bootstrapping method. Findings showed significant relationships between fearful attachment, psychological symptoms, and suicide probability. Moreover, the fearful attachment was associated with increased psychological symptoms and suicide probability. Psychological symptoms were associated with increased suicide probability. Furthermore, psychological symptoms mediated the relationship between fearful attachment and suicide probability. Psychological symptoms are critical in the relationship between fearful attachment and suicide probability. The current research adds to our knowledge of suicide probability by investigating fearful attachment and psychological symptoms. Besides, it underlies and contributes to the antecedents of suicide probability.

Association between adult attachment and mental health states among health care workers: the mediating role of social support.

To determine the relationships between attachment style, social support, and mental health states, as well as the mediation mechanism within this relationship, we conducted a survey among healthcare workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic quarantine. The survey assessed their mental health states, adult attachment style, social support, and some other relevant information. Mental health states were represented by the overall state of sleep, physical and emotional assessment. A multiple mediator model was used to explain how social support could mediate the relationship between attachment and mental health states during COVID-19 quarantine. Our findings revealed that 33.3% of the participants experienced emotional issues, 8.5% had sleep problems, and 24.9% reported physical discomfort. The direct effect of adult attachment styles on mental health states during COVID-19 quarantine was significant (c' = -0.3172; p < 0.01). The total indirect effect also showed statistical significance (ab = -0.1857; p < 0.01). Moreover, the total effect of adult attachment styles on mental health states was -0.5029 (c = -0.5029; p < 0.01). Subjective social support and utilization of social support play mediating roles in the relationship between attachment style and mental health states, respectively (ab1 = -0.1287, 95% CI: -0.9120 to -0.3341, ab2 = 0.0570, 95% CI: -0.4635 to -0.1132). These findings highlight social support played a mediation role between attachment style and mental health states. Thus, offering social support during a crisis might be useful for those individuals with an insecure attachment.

The Psychology of Kink: A Cross‐Sectional Survey Investigating the Association Between Adult Attachment Style and BDSM-Related Identity Choice in China

BDSM is a type of sexual preference that includes bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism. Research has identified three specific power exchange roles in the practice of BDSM: dominance, submission, and switch. It has also been suggested that attachment style potentially influences BDSM interests. This study investigated the potential roles of attachment style in driving BDSM identity. A questionnaire was completed by a cross-sectional Chinese sample (n = 3310, age range 18–30 years), including 1856 BDSM practitioners (436 men, 1420 women). To assess attachment style, the questionnaire included a Chinese translation of the Adult Attachment Scale as well as items surveying BDSM interests. Compared to non-BDSM practitioners, attachment styles were not significantly different from BDSM practitioners. However, practitioners with different BDSM identities showed a significant difference in their attachment styles. Secure and avoidant attachment styles were associated with dominance, whereas submissiveness recorded high average scores of separation anxiety in both males and females. BDSM identities based on gender revealed that 60.5% of female practitioners assumed the role of submissiveness and this group recorded the highest average scores of separation anxiety among all groups. These results show that BDSM identity is related to attachment style. However, the results did not support the hypothesis that attachment styles potentially drive BDSM identities. Further research is needed to explore other psychological processes that drive BDSM identities in order to provide guidance for BDSM practitioners in choosing suitable identities, thereby helping practitioners to choose suitable identity partners and avoid negative experiences during BDSM participation.

A Review on Attachment Style and Gender Double Standard

Attachment relationships have a profound effect on individuals’ cognition and psychological well-being. The presence of parental gender double standards leads to differences in children’s coping strategies and self-perceptions. This paper will discuss the definition of the three main attachment styles in children and adults, then explain the scope of gender double standard. In addition, the reasons why and how parental double gender standard would lead the children to form anxious or avoidant attachment styles will be studied in this paper. In addition, this paper will discuss why and how societal gender double standard will solidify the insecure attachment style for females. Due to there are many factors that can affect the testing, for the study of this paper the author reviewed existing experiments and analysis to study the correlation between parental gender double standard and attachment style. This study also points out some additional testing possibilities for future further studies.

Insecure Minds through the Looking Glass: The Mediating Role of Mentalization in the Relationships between Adult Attachment Styles and Problematic Social Media Use.

Research shows that insecure attachment styles and failures in mentalizing are associated with increased problematic social media use (PSMU). This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of failures in mentalizing in the relationships between attachment styles and PSMU within a large sample of individuals from the community. The study involved the participation of 3600 adult volunteers (2312 females, 64.2%) aged between 18 and 60 years old (M = 29.92; SD = 10.68). Participants completed measures to assess socio-demographics, adult attachment styles, mentalization, and PSMU. Findings showed that secure and dismissing attachment styles predicted reduced levels of PSMU, and that preoccupied and fearful attachment styles predicted increased levels of PSMU. The relationships between adult attachment styles and PSMU were mediated by failures in mentalizing. Thus, individuals with preoccupied and fearful attachment styles may excessively resort to social media as a means of coping with unprocessed mental states. Clinical interventions that focus on improving mentalizing abilities and promoting the adoption of appropriate self-regulation strategies might reduce maladaptive engagement in social media.

Adult Attachment Questionnaire: evidence of validity in a sample of IPVAW offenders.

Adult attachment can be understood as a cognitive and emotional system concerning oneself and others, based on previous attachment experiences throughout life. This system automatically affects relationships with others. Because of its importance in the interpersonal domain, it has been studied on numerous occasions in research on intimate partner violence. The aim of this study was to obtain evidence of validity of the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ) in a sample of 331 men convicted of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW). The AAQ assesses adult attachment style in four dimensions that, together, yield four attachment categories. A psychometric analysis was performed, including reliability analysis and confirmatory factor analysis of the items, which ratified the factorial structure of the questionnaire. For a correct fit of the model, it was necessary to eliminate 4 of the items from the original scale. A latent profile analysis was also carried out, which identified four attachment styles: secure, preoccupied/anxious, avoidant/dismissing and fearful. Reliability indices were adequate. In general, the attachment profiles obtained ranges and means similar to those found in the general population study. The distribution of attachment styles was not equal: 50.57% of the participants presented secure attachment, 4.57% avoidant/dismissing attachment, 36.9% preoccupied/anxious, and 8.57% fearful. In conclusion, a valid and reliable instrument was determined based on the original AAQ scale to measure attachment in men convicted of IPVAW.

Structural Equation Modeling Modeling of the Tendency Toward Marital Infidelity Based on Significant Five Personality Factors Mediated by Attachment Styles and Sexual Satisfaction

Background: The evaluation of the tendency to marital infidelity is essential based on the influential personality factor mediated by attachment styles and sexual satisfaction. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the structural relationships of the tendency to commit marital infidelity based on the orientation of dialogue and listening and conformity with the mediation of attachment styles and sexual satisfaction. Methods: This study was conducted on all men and women referred to counseling centers in Mashhad, among whom 220 people were selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The data collection tools included the tendency towards extramarital relationships, the Big 5-factor questionnaire, the Hazen and Shaver adult attachment style questionnaire, and the Hudson-Harris and Crosscup sexual satisfaction questionnaire. Results: The five personality factors of neuroticism, extroversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness could predict the tendency to marital infidelity both directly and through three secure and avoidant attachment styles. Conclusions: Based on the results, personality factors influenced extramarital relationships directly and indirectly, which can be used in premarital therapy to educate couples.

Coping Style as a Mediator between Adult Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety in College Students from Gansu, China

Coping Style as a Mediator between Adult Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety in College Students from Gansu, China