Influence of Attachment Styles on Relationship Quality in Romantic Relationships and Friendships

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Influence of Attachment Styles on Relationship Quality in Romantic Relationships and Friendships Jonathon Kirkbride University of Adelaide (Intro + discussion word count = 1353) Abstract A questionnaire was completed by university students to determine the relationship between adult attachment styles and personality characteristics. The results of the questionnaire helped to determine the attachment styles of the participants (secure, preoccupied, dismissive or fearful) and whether or not these produced positive or negative correlations regarding levels of trust, relationship satisfaction, relationship commitment and levels of depression. Individuals with a secure attachment style were found to be more trusting. Individuals with a dismissive attachment style did not show any significant indications. Individuals with a preoccupied attachment style were found to have less relationship satisfaction. Individuals with a fearful attachment style were found to have higher levels of depression in their relationships. It was found that there is no difference in dismissive attachment style for friendships than with romantic partners. It was also found that people have lower fearful attachment ratings for friendships than for romantic partners. Attachment theory was originally developed by John Bowlby. He was a British psychologist who studied young children (infants) that had been taken from their homes and were in hospital for treatment. He noticed that these infants were not happy about this separation. When separated, they showed emotions such as sadness and despair and they attempted to regain contact with their primary care-giver (usually, but not always, their mother). He postulated that these behaviours were developed through evolution by natural selection, as young mammals who managed to re-establish contact with their primary caregiver would
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