The Role of Attachment Styles in Adult Relationships
Abstract: This study explored attachment-related responses and self-reported relationship experiences among adults. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire; the supplied response file contained 57 records. The questionnaire included demographic questions, 12 attachment-related statements, six relationship-experience statements, and an optional open-ended question about healthy relationships. Descriptive statistics were calculated. For exploratory analysis, four items concerning fear of rejection and reassurance were averaged into an anxiety-related index, and four items concerning emotional disclosure, closeness, and independence were averaged into an avoidance-related index. These researcher-created indices are not validated psychological scales. Spearman rank correlations were used to examine associations with relationship-experience ratings. The six-item relationship-experience composite had a mean of 3.65 on a 1-5 scale. The anxiety-related index was positively associated with the composite (ρ = .315, p = .017), as was the avoidance-related index (ρ = .430, p = .001), contrary to the initially anticipated negative direction. Since the items were not validated, no reverse-scoring was applied, and the sample was a convenience sample with uneven demographic representation, these findings must be interpreted cautiously. They do not establish causation or justify classifying individuals by attachment style.
Keywords: attachment; adult relationships; attachment anxiety; attachment avoidance; emotional intimacy; relationship experiences
How to Cite?: Gouri T, "The Role of Attachment Styles in Adult Relationships", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2122-2126, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261030152611, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261030152611